Hindu scriptures presents many stories, which explain how Ganesha obtained his elephant or gaja head.

Hindu scriptures presents many stories, which explain how Ganesha obtained his elephant or gaja head. The stories also reveal the origins of the enormous popularity of his cult. Devotees sometimes interpret his elephant head as indicating intelligence, discriminative power, fidelity, or other attributes thought to be had by elephants. The large elephant ears are said to denote wisdom and the ability to listen to people who seek help.

Apart from most famous legend about Shiva decapitating his son Ganeshas head in Shiva Maha Purana , there's another famous legend mentioned in other scriptures. Once, there existed an Asura (demon) with all the characteristics of an elephant, called Gajasura, who was undergoing a penitence. Shiva, satisfied by this austerity, decided to grant him, as a reward, whatever gift he desired. The demon wished that he could emanate fire continually from his own body so that no one could ever dare to approach him. The Lord granted him his request. Gajasura continued his penitence and Shiva, who appeared in front of him from time to time, asked him once again what he desired. The demon responded: "I desire that You inhabit my stomach." Shiva agreed.

Maa Parvati went to her brother Shri Vishnu, asking him to find her husband. He, who knows everything, reassured her: "Don't worry, dear sister, your husband is Bhole Shankara and promptly grants to his devotees whatever they ask of him, without regard for the consequences; for this reason, I think he has gotten himself into some trouble."

Shri Vishnu, the omniscient director of the cosmic game, staged a small comedy. He transformed Nandi (the bull of Shiva) into a dancing bull and conducted him in front of Gajasura, assuming, at the same time, the appearance of a flutist. The enchanting performance of the bull sent the demon into ecstasies, and he asked the flutist to tell him what he desired. Shri Vishnu responded: "Can you give me that which I ask?" Please liberate Shiva from your stomach."

Gajasura understood then that this must have been no other than Vishnu himself, the only one who could have known that secret and he threw himself at his feet. Having agreed to liberate Shiva, Gajasura asks him for two last gifts: "I have been blessed by you with many gifts; my last requests are that everyone should remember me adoring my head and you should wear my skin."

Shiva then brought his own son Ganesha there and substitued his head with that of Gajasura. From then on, in India, the tradition is that any action, in order to prosper, must begin with the adoration of Ganesha. This is the result of the gift of Shiva to Gajasura.!✨🐘🌷🌀🌻🌸📿🌺🍚🕉🐚🌿🌼🙏🏻✨🌸🌺

Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah ✨🐘🌷🌀🌻🌸📿🌺🍚🕉🐚🌿🌼🙏🏻✨🌸🌺