Q 01/05

Along with his elephant head, how many arms does Ganesha usually have?

A) Four

B) Two

C) Six

D) Eight

Answer · why

A) Four

A large belly completes the standard image.

Q 02/05

Ganesha is most widely revered as the remover of what?

A) Obstacles

B) Past sins

C) Family debts

D) All sickness

Answer · why

A) Obstacles

He is also the god of beginnings, which is why he is honoured at the start of rites and ceremonies.

Q 03/05

Ganesha is the son of which divine couple?

A) Shiva and Parvati

B) Vishnu and Lakshmi

C) Brahma and Saraswati

D) Indra and Shachi

Answer · why

A) Shiva and Parvati

The Puranas give several birth stories, and in some he is created by one parent alone.

Q 04/05

In the most common story, Ganesha received his animal head after which god beheaded him?

A) Shiva

B) Vishnu

C) Indra

D) Brahma

Answer · why

A) Shiva

Parvati had made the boy from clay to guard her; he stood between her and her husband and paid for it.

Q 05/05

From what did Parvati create Ganesha in the best-known version of his birth?

A) Clay

B) Sandalwood

C) Lotus petals

D) Ganges water

Answer · why

A) Clay

In another version he sprang from Shiva's laughter and was given the animal head because he was too alluring.