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The story behind today's celebration of Ganesh Chaturthis, the god of success in the Hindu faith, goes something like this:

Goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband, returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief, and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north.

The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader of the troops.

Ganesha, the elephant-deity riding a mouse, is also considered the destroyer of evils and obstacles.

Many celebrations will take place over the next month, touching a number of faiths.

The first days of Rosh Hashana for Jews and Ramadan for Muslims are behind us.

Ramadan is the month when Muslims believe Allah revealed the Quran to the prophet Mohammed. The 30-day observance ends with a communal prayer and meal, the Feast of the Fast Breaking.

From sunup to sundown, observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, tobacco, sex and other pleasures as a way of practicing self-restraint and renewing their faith.

The Jewish High Holy Days began at sundown Wednesday with Rosh Hashana and end 10 days later with Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days of the Jewish year.

It is a time of repentance, mending relationships and putting things right with God and neighbor.

Jews are called to examine their deeds, ask forgiveness of those they have offended, ask for forgiveness from God — and plan to do better.

The Baha'i faith celebrates the Birth of Bab on Oct. 20. It is the observance of the anniversary of the birth of the prophet Siyyid Ali-Muhammad, who later took the title of "the Bab," meaning "the Gate." It is one of nine holy days of the year when all work is to be suspended.

Other upcoming events include: the Zoroastrianism faith, whose followers celebrate the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop and the return of herds from pasture, Oct. 12-16.

Vassa, the rainy season of spiritual reflection for Buddhists, which began in July, ends Oct. 7.

Itching to discover more about the broader faith community? A good place to start is http://www.beliefnet.com.

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The fall series of Spiritual Cinema at Unity in Greensboro (www.unitygso.com) has begun.

The Oct. 12 film showing of "Illusions" stars noted actor Kirk Douglas and is about a father and son who have never met and the one good thing the father does for the son to change his life.

The series continues Nov. 9 with "Star Dreams," a film on crop circles, and "Grazie Al Cielo," a "clever and twisted" Italian film (English subtitles) following a man who whines from dawn till dusk, until he meets an angel sent to straighten him out.

"Wondrous Oblivion, set in the 19602," is the Dec. 14 feature about an 11-year-old who is mad about the game of cricket but no good at it. A Jamaican family moves in next door and builds a cricket net in the back garden. The boy must choose between fitting in or standing up for his new neighbor friends.

All films will be shown at Unity in Greensboro, 1935 Opal Drive.

For more information, call 273-0944. Love offerings accepted. Films begin at 7:30 p.m.

Contact Nancy H. McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nmclaughlin@news-record.com.