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The demon Gajaasur was a Daitya. He was  also known as Neel and was a friend of Andhakaasur. Gajaasur was named thus as he was in the form of an elephant. Two representations of Shiv from this battle, often combined, are Shiv's Andhakaasur Vadh and Shiv's Gaj Sanhaar - dancing on Neel's decapitated head or underneath his butchered skin. Gajahaaraa Moorti is said to have been sent by sages of Daaruk Van to kill Shiv for seducing their wives as Bhikshaatan. Shiv killed the elephant and opened his head.

Another story of Gajaasur explains that the Raakshas Gajaasur was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiv who underwent penance for many years to receive special boons. Shiv, who is easily pleased by prayers, was moved by Gajaasur's devotion, and asked him to ask for a boon. Gajaasur asked Shiv to reside in his belly. It was an odd boon but Shiv had to grant it and he entered his belly.

Meanwhile on Mount Kailash, Paarvatee Jee didn't see Shiv Jee for a few days. She was anxious to know the whereabouts of her husband, so she approached Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu consoled her and set out in search of Shiv. Vishnu disguised himself in the form of a street player along with Nandee, Shiv's bull carrier, and the two set out in search of Shankar. The went to Gajaasur's kingdom and there Nandee performed a dance to please the demon. In thanks, Gajaasur asked the flute player to ask for a boon from him. He did not know that he was granting the boon to the Lord of Tri-Lok. Vishnu asked him to let Shiv out of his stomach. Gajaasur had to let him out of the stomach, but prayed that he would be allowed to be immortal in the memories of people. To fulfill this wish, Lord Shiv severed Gajaasur's head and freed him from the cycle of birth and death. He carries his head along with him.

When, on Mount Kailaash, Paarvatee Jee came to know about Vishnu's victory, she became very happy. She got prepared to welcome Shiv Jee. She went to take bath, but just for security sake, she created a figure out of the dough that she used for her bath, and called him her son Vinaayak - the one who puts off all obstacles. She asked him to guard the door, and not to allow anybody come in until she had taken her bath. Vinaayak sat at the door guarding it. Now Shiv Jee returned home happily after long time after killing Gajaasur, he found a boy guarding the door of his house. He did not know the boy and the boy also never saw Shiv. So when Shiv wanted to enter his house, the boy did not allow him to enter the palace. Although Shiv told him several times that he was the husband of Paarvatee and did not need any permission to enter his own house, but Vinaayak was just obeying his mother's orders. In a fit of fury Shiv beheaded the boy and entered the palace. Paarvatee was unaware of the happenings and received Shiv with warmth, for he had returned after a long period.

Suddenly she remembered that she asked her son to guard the door then how come Shiv entered the house. She asked Shiv - "How did you come inside?" Shiv mentioned the incident at the palace gate and told her about severing the child's head. Paarvatee was shocked to hear the news and pleaded Shiv to bring the child back to life for he was like a son to her. Shiv who had with him the head of Gajaasur, immediately put it on the torso of the dead child, thus bringing him back to life and blessed him with a boon that the entire world would worship him in remembrance of that day. That was the 4th day of Krishn Paksh of Bhaadrapad. Thus Ganesh was born on that day.

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