The elephant was also considered as a royal symbol besides being considered as a religious symbol both in Hindu and Buddhist countries and was trained for the purpose of war. With the disappearance of princely order and the mechanisation of the army, its importance as a royal symbol and war material suffered a set back. But it still retains its importance as a religious paraphernalia. Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of prosperity is reverentially addressed as Gajalakshmi. This idea is symbolised in pictures and other works of art with this Goddess flanked on either side by two elephants facing each other with trunks lifted in holy tribute to her.

The symbolic and mystic role of the elephant in human affairs which has been coming down from immemorial past appears to have , influenced the gradual evolution of the concept of Ganesha and his idol in the present forms.