While proceeding downwards from Dolma - La (Dolma Pass), a steep
descent to Gouri Kund at 5608 m, also called the Lake of compassion
as referred to in the shiva Purana this is the setting for the legend
of Parvati and how Ganesh acquired his elephant head bathing in the
emerald waters of the kund, Parvati fashioned an image of Ganesh from
the soap suds on her body, breathed life into it and placed it at
the entrance of her home to prevent anyone entering. Lord Shiva happened
to return at this point of time and was stopped by Ganesha. Indignant
at this affront, shiva cut off the boy's head. Pravati was inconsolable
and insisted that the boy be brought back to life shiva took the head
of a wandering elephant and placed it on the body. Life was restored
and Parvati had her son back.