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Ganesha Pooja

1. Vighneśvara dhyānam – Invocation

Ring the bell and light lamp.

om śuklāmbaradharam viṣṇum śaśivarṇam caturbhujam ǀ
prasanna vadanam dhyāyet sarva vighnopa śāntaye ǁ

2. ācamanam – Purification

Take a spoonful of water into your right hand and drink each time.

om keśavāya svāhā ǀ
om nārāyaṇāya svāhā ǀ
om mādhavāya svāhā ǀ

Take a spoonful of water to wash your hands into the plate in front of you.

om govindāya namaḥ ǁ

3. digbandhaḥ – Protection from evil spirits

Move your right hand around the head with your index finger pointing out.

om bhūrbhuvaḥ suvaḥ

4. prāṇāyāmaḥ – Breathing exercises

Do 3 sets of pranayama. Others will chant gayatri mantra at this time.

Om bhūr-bhuvah svah ।
tat-savitur-vareṇyam
bhargo devasya dhīmahi ।
dhiyo yo naḥ praco-dayāt ॥

5. Pūjā sankalpaḥ – Declaration

Put a flower petal in your right hand and pour some water in it. Close it with your left hand and place it on your right knee.

om mamopātta-samasta-duritakshayadvārā
śrī parameṣvara prītyartham asmin śubha-muhūrte
śrī guru-prasāda-sidhyartham ca
śrī ganesha pūjām kariṣye ǀ

Pour water and petal onto plate in front of you.

6. ghaṇṭānādhaḥ – Invitation to the Gods

Ring the bell and chant.

āgamārtham tu devānām gamanārtham tu rakshasām ǀ
kurve ghaṇṭā-ravam tatra devatāḥvāna-lakshaṇam ǁ

7. guru-smaraṇam – Invocation of Guru

Fold hands and chant.

gurur braḥmā gurur viṣṇuḥ gurur devo maheśvaraḥ ǀ
guruḥ sākśāt para brahma tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ ǁ
om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ ǁ

Offer a flower.

8. śrī gaṇeśa- smaraṇam – Invocation of Ganesh

Fold hands and chant.

vakratuṇḍa mahākāya
sūryakoṭi samaprabha ǀ
nirvighnam kuru me deva
sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā ǁ
om śrī mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ ǁ

9. devatā-āvāhanam – Welcoming

Touch your heart with your left hand and keep your right hand touching Sir Ganesha’s feet.

om ga gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  āvāhayāmi ǁ

10. āsanam – Offering a seat

Offer a flower.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ āsanam samarpayāmi ǁ

11. pādyam – Washing feet

Pour a spoonful of water at Ganesha’s feet.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  pādyam samarpayāmi ǁ

12. arghyam – Washing hands

Pour a spoonful of water into Ganesha’s hands.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ arghyam samarpayāmi ǁ

13. ācamanam – Rinsing mouth

Show a spoonful of water to Ganesha and pour it on the plate in front of you.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ ācamanam samarpayāmi ǁ

14. snānīyam – Offering bath

Sprinkle water on Ganesha.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ snānīyam samarpayāmi ǁ

15. vastram – Giving clothes

Offer a flower to Ganesha.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ śubha-vastram samarpayāmi ǁ

16. gandhalepanam – Perfume

Take chandan with your right ring finger and put it on Ganesha’s forehead.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  gandham samarpayāmi ǁ

17. akśatāḥ – Kumkum and Rice

Take some rice on your right ring finger and dip it in the kumkum. Apply it to Ganesha’s forehead.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ akśatān samarpayāmi ǁ

18. puṣpam – Flower

Offer a flower garland to Ganesha.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  puṣpāṇi samarpayāmi ǁ

19. arcana – 108 Names (aṣṭottara-nāma-pūjā)

Offer a flower petal each time a name is chanted.

श्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शत नामावली  śrī gaeśa atottara śata nāmāvalī

1.

ॐ गजाननाय नमः

om gajānanāya namaḥ

The elephant-faced Lord

2.

ॐ गणाध्यक्षाय नमः

om gaṇādhyakśāya namaḥ

Lord of all ganas (Lord shiva’s ’s attendants)

3.

ॐ विघ्नराजाय नमः

om vighnarājāya namaḥ

Lord of all obstacles

4.

ॐ विनायकाय नमः

om vināyakāya namaḥ

Supreme Lord of all

5.

ॐ द्वैमातुराय नमः

om dvaimāturāya namaḥ

One who has two mothers

6.

ॐ सुमुखाय नमः

om sumukhāya namaḥ

One who has auspicious face

7.

ॐ प्रमुखाय नमः

om pramukhāya namaḥ

Foremost of the Universe

8.

ॐ सन्मुखाय नमः

om sanmukhāya namaḥ

One who has divine face

9.

ॐ कृतिने नमः

om kṛtine namaḥ

The performer of righteous acts

10.

ॐ ज्ञानदीपाय नमः

om jñānadīpāya namaḥ

One who is the light of knowledge

11.

ॐ सुखनिधये नमः

om sukhanidhaye namaḥ

Treasure of Happiness

12.

ॐ सुराध्यक्षाय नमः

om surādhyakśāya namaḥ

Lord of the gods

13.

ॐ सुरारिभिदे नमः

om surāribhide namaḥ

The Destroyer of the enemies of devas

14.

ॐ महागणपतये नमः

om mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ

Omnipotent and Supreme Lord

15.

ॐ मान्याय नमः

om mānyāya namaḥ

One who is worthy of reverence

16.

ॐ महन्मान्याय नमः

om mahanmānyāya namaḥ

One who is revered by the whole universe

17.

ॐ मृडात्मजाय नमः

om mṛḍātmajāya namaḥ

Son of the merciful Lord Shiva

18.

ॐ पुराणाय नमः

om purāṇāya namaḥ

The most ancient

19.

ॐ पुरुषाय नमः

om puruṣāya namaḥ

The eternal conscious being

20.

ॐ पूष्णे नमः

om pūṣṇe namaḥ

Nourisher of all beings

21.

ॐ पुष्करिणे नमः

om puṣkariṇe namaḥ

One who holds the boon-bestowing lotus

22.

ॐ पुण्यकृते नमः

om puṇyakṛte namaḥ

The one who does auspicious deeds

23.

ॐ अग्रगण्याय नमः

om agragaṇyāya namaḥ

Pre-eminent among all deities

24.

ॐ अग्रपूज्याय नमः

om agrapujyāya namaḥ

The first to be worshipped

25.

ॐ अग्रगामिने नमः

om agragāmine namaḥ

One who takes the lead

26.

ॐ मन्त्रकृते नमः

om mantrakṛte namaḥ

Creator of sacred chants

27.

ॐ चामीकरप्रभाय नमः

om cāmīkara-prabhāya namaḥ

Having the Radiance Like Sun

28.

ॐ सर्वस्मै नमः

om sarvasmai namaḥ

The one who is everything

29.

ॐ सर्वोपास्याय नमः

om sarvopāsyāya namaḥ

Worshipped by all

30.

ॐ सर्वकर्त्रे नमः

om sarva kartre namaḥ

Cause of all activities

31.

ॐ सर्वनेत्रे नमः

om sarva netre namaḥ

Watching everything happening in the universe

32.

ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय नमः

om sarva-siddhi-pradāya namaḥ

Granter of all kinds of accomplishments (Siddhi)

33.

ॐ सर्वसिद्धाय नमः

om sarva siddhāya namaḥ

Lord of all accomplishments

34.

ॐ सर्ववन्द्याय नमः

om sarva vandyāya namaḥ

One who is worshipped by all

35.

ॐ महाकालाय नमः

om mahākālāya namaḥ

Lord of Time / Lord of Death

36.

ॐ महाबलाय नमः

om mahābalāya namaḥ

Lord of extreme strength

37.

ॐ हेरम्बाय नमः

om herambāya namaḥ

Mother Parvati’s beloved son

38.

ॐ लम्बजठराय नमः

om lambajaṭharāya namaḥ

One with a large belly

39.

ॐ ह्रस्वग्रीवाय नमः

om hrasvagrīvāya namaḥ

One with a short neck

40.

ॐ महोदराय नमः

om mahodarāya namaḥ

Having large abdomen

41.

ॐ मदोत्कटाय नमः

om madotkaṭāya namaḥ

Full of excitement

42.

ॐ महावीराय नमः

om mahāvīrāya namaḥ

Very brave and courageous

43.

ॐ मन्त्रिणे नमः

om mantriṇe namaḥ

The wise counsellor

44.

ॐ मङ्गलदाय नमः

om maṅgaladāya namaḥ

One who bestows auspiciousness

45.

ॐ प्रमथाचार्याय नमः

om pramathācāryāya namaḥ

The first preceptor

46.

ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः

om prājñyāya namaḥ

The wise and the knowledgeable

47.

ॐ प्रमोदाय नमः

om pramodāya namaḥ

Lord of joy

48.

ॐ मोदकप्रियाय नमः

om modakapriyāya namaḥ

One who loves modaka (sweet dumplings)

49.

ॐ धृतिमते नमः

om dhṛtimate namaḥ

One who is resolute and steadfast

50.

ॐ मतिमते नमः

om matimate namaḥ

The most intelligent

51.

ॐ कामिने नमः

om kāmine namaḥ

Fulfiller of Wishes

52.

ॐ कपित्थप्रियाय नमः

om kapitthapriyāya namaḥ

One who loves jamun fruits

53.

ॐ ब्रह्मचारिणे नमः

om brahmacāriṇe namaḥ

One who follows celibacy  and disciplined

54.

ॐ ब्रह्मरूपिणे नमः

om brahmarūpiṇe namaḥ

The Almighty God

55.

ॐ ब्रह्मविदे नमः

om brahmavide namaḥ

One who knows the supreme Brahman

56.

ॐ ब्रह्मवन्दिताय नमः

om brahmavanditāya namaḥ

One who is worshipped by Brahma

57.

ॐ जिष्णवे नमः

om jiṣṇave namaḥ

The triumphant and victorious

58.

ॐ विष्णुप्रियाय नमः

om viṣṇupriyāya namaḥ

Beloved of Lord Vishnu

59.

ॐ भक्त जीविताय नमः

om bhakta jīvitāya namaḥ

The sustainer of devotees

60.

ॐ जितमन्मथाय नमः

om jitamanmathāya namaḥ

The conqueror of God of Love

61.

ॐ ऐश्वर्यदाय नमः

om aiśvaryadāya namaḥ

One who bestows divine wealth

62.

ॐ गुहज्यायसे नमः

om guhajyāyase namaḥ

The greatest

63.

ॐ सिद्धसेविताय नमः

om siddhasevitāya namaḥ

Worshipped by the siddhas (accomplished ones)

64.

ॐ विघ्नकर्त्रे नमः

om vighnakartre namaḥ

Creator of obstacles

65.

ॐ विघ्नहर्त्रे नमः

om vighnahartre namaḥ

Destroyer of obstacles

66.

ॐ विश्वनेत्रे नमः

om viśvanetre namaḥ

Eye of the universe /  Keeps an eye on the universe

67.

ॐ विराजे नमः

om virāje namaḥ

One who is pure

68.

ॐ स्वराजे नमः

om svarāje namaḥ

One who is self-luminous

69.

ॐ श्रीपतये नमः

om śrīpataye namaḥ

The Lord of fortune

70.

ॐ वाक्पतये नमः

om vākpataye namaḥ

The Lord of speech

71.

ॐ श्रीमते नमः

om śrīmate namaḥ

The Lord of Prosperity

72.

ॐ शृङ्गारिणे नमः

om śṛṅgāriṇe namaḥ

Decorated with Vermilion

73.

ॐ श्रितवत्सलाय नमः

om śritavatsalāya namaḥ

One who is kind to his devotee

74.

ॐ शिवप्रियाय नमः

om śivapriyāya namaḥ

Beloved of Lord Shiva

75.

ॐ शीघ्रकारिणे नमः

om śīghrakāriṇe namaḥ

The doer of swift deeds

76.

ॐ शाश्वताय नमः

om śāśvatāya namaḥ

One who is eternal

77.

ॐ शिवनन्दनाय नमः

om śivanandanāya namaḥ

Shiva’s beloved son

78.

ॐ बलोद्धताय नमः

om baloddhatāya namaḥ

Whose strength increases day by day

79.

ॐ भक्तनिधये नमः

om bhaktanidhaye namaḥ

Treasure to all devotees

80.

ॐ भावगम्याय नमः

om bhāvagamyāya namaḥ

One who is attained through devotion

81.

ॐ भवात्मजाय नमः

om bhavātmajāya namaḥ

Son of the Universe

82.

ॐ महते नमः

om mahate nama

The biggest; The greatest principle of the Universe

83.

ॐ मङ्गल दायिने अमः

om mangaladāyine namaḥ

Granter of Auspicious Things

84.

ॐ महेशाय नमः

om maheśāya namaḥ

Greatest Among All Deities / Son of Lord Shiva

85.

ॐ महिताय नमः

om mahitāya nama

One who has innumerable glories

86.

ॐ सत्यधर्मिणे नमः।

om satyadharmiṇe namaḥ

Abiding in Truth and righteousness

87.

ॐ सदाधाराय नमः

om sadādhārāya namaḥ

One who is eternal stream (of consciousness/life)

88.

ॐ सत्याय नमः

om satyāya namaḥ

One who is the Truth

89.

ॐ सत्यपराक्रमाय नमः

om satyaparākramāya namaḥ

One who possesses unfailing valour

90.

ॐ शुभाङ्गाय नमः

om śubhāṅgāya namaḥ

One with a delightful form with auspicious qualities

91.

ॐ शुभ्रदन्ताय नमः

om śubhradantāya namaḥ

One who has white tusks

92.

ॐ शुभदाय नमः

om śubhadāya namaḥ

One who bestows auspiciousness

93.

ॐ शुभविग्रहाय नमः

om śubhavigrahāya namaḥ

One who has auspicious form

94.

ॐ पञ्चपातकनाशिने नमः

om panca-pātaka-nāśine namaḥ

One who destroys five deadly sins

95.

ॐ पार्वतीप्रियनन्दनाय नमः।

om parvatī-priya-nandanāya namaḥ

Beloved son of Parvati

96.

ॐ विश्वेशाय नमः

om viśveśāya namaḥ

Lord of the Universe

97.

ॐ विबुधाराध्यपदाय नमः

om vibudhārādhyapadāya namaḥ

One whose feet are worshipped by sages

98.

ॐ वीरवराग्रगाय नमः

om vīravarāgragāya namaḥ

The foremost in valour

99.

ॐ कुमारगुरुवन्द्याय नमः

om kumāraguruvandyāya namaḥ

Worshipped by Lord Kartikeya

100.

ॐ कुञ्जरासुरभञ्जनाय नमः

om kuñjarāsura-bhañjanāya namaḥ

One who destroyed Kunjarasura demon

101.

ॐ वल्लभावल्लभाय नमः

om vallabhāvallabhāya namaḥ

One who is the most  beloved to all

102.

ॐ वराभयकराम्बुजाय नमः

om varābhayakarāmbujāya namaḥ

One whose lotus-like hands bestow the boon of refuge

103.

ॐ सुधाकलशहस्ताय नमः

om sudhā-kalaśa-hastāya namaḥ

One who has nectar of immortality in his hands

104.

ॐ सुधाकरकलाधराय नमः

om sudhākarakalādharāya namaḥ

One who adorns the crescent of the moon

105.

ॐ पञ्चहस्ताय नमः

om pancahastāya namaḥ

One with five hands

106.

ॐ प्रधानेशाय नमः

om pradhāneśāya namaḥ

The Prime God

107.

ॐ पुरातनाय नमः

om purātanāya namaḥ

One who is ancient

108.

ॐ वरसिद्धिविनायकाय नमः

om varasiddhivināyakāya namaḥ

The one who bestows boons and siddhis

20. dhūpaḥ – Incense

Light the agarbati and lift up to Ganesha. Ring the bell.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  dhūpam āghrāpayāmi ǁ

21. dīpaḥ – Lamp  

Light up oil lamp and raise it to the level of Ganesha’s eyes. Ring the bell.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  dīpam darśayāmi ǁ

22. naivedyam – Prasad

Dip a flower into the water and sprinkle on Prasad. Put on plate in front of you.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  naivedyam nivedayāmi ǁ

Wave the smell towards Ganesha with the thumb touching each finger shown below.

om prāṇāya svāhā – Pinky
om apānāya svāhā – Ring finger
om vyānāya svāhā – Middle finger
om udānāya svāhā – Index finger
om samānāya svāhā – All fingers
om brahmaṇe svāhā – All fingers

23. mangala-nīrājanam – Aarti

Light camphor and rotate around Ganesha. Ring the bell.

na tatra sūryo bhāti na candra tārakam
nemā vidyuto bhānti kuto S ayamagniḥ ǀ
tameva bhāntam anubhāti sarvam
tasya bhāsā sarvamidam vibhāti ǁ
om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  mangala-nīrājanam samarpayāmi ǁ

24. puṣpānjaliḥ – Conclusion

Offer flower.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ ǀ  puṣpānjalim samarpayāmi ǁ

25. pradakśiṇa-namaskāraḥ – Circumambulation

Stand up and turn around clockwise 3 times.

om gaṁ gaapataye namaḥ pradakśiṇa-namaskāran samarpayāmi ǁ

26. prārthanā – Forgiveness

Fold hands and chant.

kāyena vācā manasendriyairvā
buddhyātmanā vā prakṛte svabhāvāt ǀ
karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai
nārāyaṇāyeti samarpayāmi ǁ

27. śānti mantraḥ – Closing prayer

Fold hands and chant.

om pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidam pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate ǀ
pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ǁ
om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ
hariḥ om śrī gurubhyo namaḥ hariḥ om