genies servant of Shiva, who form His army; minor deities, they are Shiva's mates, placed under the orders of Ganapati (Chief of the Gana). They dwell on mount Kailash (= Kailasa), the mountain of gods. There are many kinds of Gana categorized by groups; they are often represented dancing. One translates sometimes Gana by "Dwarfs" because their images on temple friezes and capitals display them as semi-human beings, small in size and endowed with a scarf body. In former times, people were highly afraid of them because one thought them able to create a lot of disorders, if not properly worshipped
In Hinduism, the s (Devanagari: ) are attendants of Shiva and live in Kailasa. Ganesha was chosen as their leader by Shiva, hence Ganesha's title or , "lord of the gaṇas". Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna L.