🐘 Who is Lord Ganapathi (Ganesha)?

Lord Ganapathi, also known as Ganesha or Vinayaka, is the beloved elephant-headed deity worshipped at the beginning of any new venture, ceremony, or puja. He is the Vighnaharta (Remover of Obstacles) and is also known as the God of Wisdom, Intelligence, and Success.

🗓️ When is Ganapathi Puja Performed?

  • Daily or weekly (usually on Tuesdays or Sankashti Chaturthi)
  • During Ganesh Chaturthi festival (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi – August/September)
  • Before starting important activities, like new business, exams, marriages, housewarming, etc.

🌺 Significance of Ganapathi Puja

  • Invokes blessings of knowledge and prosperity
  • Clears hurdles and negative influences
  • Ensures auspicious beginnings and successful completion of tasks
  • Symbolizes humility, wisdom, and inner strength

🪔 Ganapathi Puja Samagri (Items Needed)

  • Idol or picture of Lord Ganesha
  • Durva grass (21 blades), red flowers (hibiscus), sandalwood paste, turmeric, kumkum
  • Fruits, modaks (sweet dumplings), jaggery, coconut, betel leaves & nuts
  • Deepam (lamp), incense sticks, camphor, kalasha (water pot)

🕉️ Ganapathi Puja Vidhi (Procedure)

  1. Purification & Sankalpa
    • Clean the puja space, take a bath, and take a sankalpa (intention) for the puja.
  2. Kalasha Sthapana
    • Set up the kalasha (pot filled with water, mango leaves, coconut) as a symbol of divine presence.
  3. Avahana (Invocation)
    • Invoke Lord Ganesha with mantras, inviting him to reside in the idol.
  4. Shodashopachara Puja (16 Offerings)
    • Offer sandalwood paste, flowers, turmeric, kumkum, incense, lamp, food, and water as per tradition.
  5. Chant Ganapati Mantras
    • Recite:

Om Gan Ganapataye Namah
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada

  1. Ganapati Ashtottara Shatanamavali
    • Chant the 108 names of Lord Ganesha for blessings and removal of obstacles.
  2. Naivedyam (Food Offering)
    • Offer modaks, coconut, bananas, and other sweets.
  3. Aarti
    • Perform Ganesh Aarti:

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva…

  1. Prarthana & Conclusion
    • Pray for success, health, and peace. Conclude with the Shanti mantra.

🌟 Benefits of Ganapathi Puja

  • Destroys obstacles in spiritual and material life
  • Enhances memory, focus, and intellect
  • Brings luck, success, and protection
  • Essential for all new beginnings