BhaktiLoopGanesh Puja
Ganesh Puja is a devotional ritual performed to honor Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the Deva of intellect and wisdom. It is one of the most widely performed pujas in Hinduism, undertaken by individuals and families to seek divine blessings for smooth progress in life and undertakings.
Purpose
To invoke blessings for success, wisdom, prosperity, removal of obstacles (Vighnaharta), good fortune, and auspicious beginnings. It is typically performed before any new venture, ceremony, or on auspicious days dedicated to Him.
Key Rituals
- Achamanam & Sankalpam**: Purification rituals and stating the intention/purpose of the puja.
- Dhyanam & Avahanam**: Meditating on Lord Ganesha and inviting His presence into the idol or image.
- Asanam**: Offering a seat to the deity.
- Padya, Arghya, Achamaniyam**: Offering water to wash feet, hands, and for sipping.
- Snanam (Abhishekam)**: Bathing the idol with Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) and then with pure water.
- Vastram & Yagnopaveetam**: Offering new clothes or sacred thread.
- Gandham**: Applying sandalwood paste (Chandan) and vermilion (Kumkum).
- Pushpam**: Offering flowers, especially red hibiscus, and Durva grass (21 blades are highly auspicious).
- Dhupam & Deepam**: Lighting incense sticks and an oil/ghee lamp.
- Naivedyam**: Offering food, especially Modak, Ladoo, fruits, and other sweets.
- Tambulam**: Offering betel leaf with supari (areca nut).
- Mantra Japa**: Chanting Ganesha mantras (e.g., 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha') 108 or 1008 times.
- Aarti**: Waving a lamp in front of the deity while singing devotional hymns (Aarti).
- Pradakshina**: Circumambulating the deity (usually three or five times).
- Kshama Prarthana**: Seeking forgiveness for any mistakes committed during the puja.
- Visarjan (for temporary idols)**: Immersion of the idol in water (if the puja is for a temporary clay idol, like during Ganesh Chaturthi).
Common Offerings
Modak and Ladoo (especially Motichoor or Besan Ladoo)
Durva Grass (Cynodon Dactylon), typically in odd numbers like 3, 5, 7, 21 blades
Red Hibiscus flowers (Jaswand)
Coconut
Bananas and other fruits
Sandalwood paste (Chandan) and Kumkum (vermilion)
Ghee/Oil lamp (Diya)
Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
Betel leaves and betel nuts
Sweets and Jaggery
Curd, milk, honey, ghee, sugar (for Panchamrit Abhishekam)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Ganesha, the Lord of all ganas (assemblies).
Benefits
This is the most common and powerful Bija Mantra for Lord Ganesha. Chanting it regularly helps remove obstacles, brings success in endeavors, grants wisdom, and promotes overall well-being.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.
Meaning
O Ganesha of the curved trunk, large body, and brilliant like a million suns, I pray to you, remove all obstacles from my endeavors, always.
Benefits
This mantra is an invocation to Lord Ganesha to bless the devotee with success and clear all hindrances in any task or journey. It is recited before starting any new work or journey.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat.
Meaning
Om, let us meditate on the one-tusked God, Oh, let us meditate on the God with the curved trunk, May the tusked one inspire us.
Benefits
This is the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra. Chanting it helps in gaining knowledge, wisdom, intellect, good fortune, and spiritual enlightenment. It is believed to bring inner peace and remove ignorance.
Auspicious Days
- Ganesh Chaturthi**: The annual festival celebrating Lord Ganesha's birth (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi).
- Sankashti Chaturthi**: The fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of every lunar month, observed with fasting and puja for obstacle removal.
- Angaraki Chaturthi**: When Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, considered highly auspicious.
- Tuesdays**: Generally considered an auspicious day for worshipping Lord Ganesha.
- Before any new beginning**: Such as starting a new business, moving into a new home, beginning studies, or undertaking any significant task.
Regional Variations
While the core principles and rituals of Ganesh Puja remain consistent, regional variations often manifest in the scale of celebration, specific offerings, and the emphasis on certain aspects. In Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi (Ganeshotsav) is celebrated with grand public pandals and processions, with immense community participation. In South India, especially Tamil Nadu, the puja might be more home-centric, and offerings like 'Kozhukattai' (a type of modak) are prominent. The duration of the puja (daily vs. multi-day festivals) and the specific hymns or Ashtottarashata Namavali (108 names) chanted can also vary regionally.
Related Pujas
- Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat**: A specific fast and puja observed on Sankashti Chaturthi to overcome difficulties.
- Vinayaka Chaturthi Vrat**: Similar to Sankashti but observed on the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi.
- Ganesh Homa**: A fire ritual dedicated to Lord Ganesha, often performed for amplified blessings and obstacle removal.
- Anant Chaturdashi**: The last day of Ganeshotsav, marked by the immersion of Ganesha idols.
- Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav**: The grand public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, particularly prominent in Maharashtra.