Easy GANESHA puja (with detailed text & mantras in ENGLISH)

SHREE GANESHAYA NAMAHA
 

What I am sharing here is a generic puja method for LORD GANESHA. Its what has been passed down to me by my parents. Also, this puja is not restricted to GANESH CHATHURTHI, you can do it at other auspicious times too like

1. birthdays,
2. marriage anniversaries,
3. other life milestones,
4. before starting  new job,
5. just before or just after getting married.
6. monthly sankatahara chathurthi days

GANESHA or GANPATI literally means LORD OF THE GANAS. He’s the elder son of LORD SHIVA & GODDESS PARVATI. There’s no auspicious ritual done without invoking him.

Symbolism of LORD GANESHA

1. Big Head – all the knowledge of the world
2. Big Ears – listening to all the wisdon was the first step in learning. VEDAS were (and still is) taught vocally – shravanam.
3. Trunk – like elephants can use their trunk to lift heavy logs as well as the deli cate bananas , it symbolizes using our intellect to discriminate between the right and the wrong, good and bad.
4. Tusks – EKA DANTAYA – he had one broken tusk and one full, this symbolies that we should learn to live at peace with everything that life has to offer
5. Mouse – represents control of desire. Desire can destroy the mighty if not kept in control (think aout RAVANA from the RAMAYAN)
6. The 4 hands of GANESHA
   1. Rope in one hand – to pull his devotees towards him
   2. Axe in one hand – to cut harmful desires
   3. Modak / Kozhakettai – to reward devotees who pray to him
   4. Empty hand – to bless his devotees

Why it is celebrated?

Its the CELEBRATION of LORD GANESHA’s BIRTHDAY.

There are two different versions about Ganesha’s birth.

1. One has it that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of dirt off her body while having a bath and set him to guard her door while she finishes her bath. Shiva who has gone out, returned at that time, but as Ganesha didn’t know of him, stopped him from entering. An angry Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between the two. Parvati was enraged and Shiva promised Ganesha will live again. The devas who went in search of a head facing north of a dead person could manage only the head of an elephant. Shiva fixed the elephant’s head on the child an’/d brought him back to life.
2. The other legend has it that Ganesha was created by Shiva and Parvati on request of the Devas, to be a vighnakartaa (obstacle-creator) in the path of rakshasas (demonic beings), and a vighnahartaa (obstacle-averter) to help the Devas.

When is it celebrated?

GANESH CHATHURTHI is celebrated on the 4th day (CHATHURTHI) of SHUKLA PAKSHA (waxing period of the moon) of the BHADRAPADA / KANYA / PURATTASI MONTH.

In 2023, there’s is a slight confusion on when it is

CHATHURTHI TITHI starts @ 12:39pm on Monday – 18th September 2023 and ends @ 1:43pm on Tuesday 19th Sep 2023.As per Sringeri Peeth (Karnataka) its
on 18th September & as per Kanchi Peeth (Tamilnadu) its on 19th September –

Madhyahna Ganesha
Puja Muhurat 

Sep 18 – 11:54AM to
12:39PM Duration – 45 Mins

Sep 19- 10:27AM to
12:54 PM Duration – 02 Hours 26 Mins

Chaturthi Tithi
Begins – 12:39 PM on Sep 18, 2023

Chaturthi Tithi Ends – 1:43 PM on Sep
19, 2023 

Ganesha Visarjan on
ANANTA CHATURDASHI Thursday, September 28, 2023. 

Morning
Muhurat (Shubha) – 06:09 AM to 07:39 AM

Morning
Muhurat (Chara, Labha, Amrita) – 10:40 AM to 03:11 PM

Afternoon
Muhurat (Shubha) – 04:41 PM to 06:12 PM

Evening
Muhurat (Amrita, Chara) – 06:12 PM to 09:11 PM

Night
Muhurat (Labha) – 12:10 AM to 01:40 AM, Sep
29

Chaturdashi
Tithi Begins – 10:18 PM on Sep
27, 2023

Chaturdashi
Tithi Ends – 06:49 PM on Sep
28, 2023

 

You will need to
keep it for 1.5 (one and a half) days at the minimum till Wednesday (20th Sep
2023) late evening before MOON comes out in your city – 5:30pm-6:00pm  

How long should the GANESH IDOL be kept?

1. Install the GANESHA on the GANESH CHATHURTHI day
2. Minimum time you should keep is 1.5 days
3. People also keep for 3,5,7 & 10 days

What will you need for he puja?

1. A straw mat, woollen mat, blanket or a short wooden stool or you to sit
2. A small STOOL or ALTAR  with an MUD (good to be eco-friendly) IDOL of LORD GANESHA or a picture of LORD GANESHA
3. A Bell (GHANTI)
4. Panchapatra + Udrini – a copper or brass or silver tumbler (to be used only for PUAS. If you don’t have you may use a NEW STEEL TUMBLER). UDRINI is a deep spoon with a long handle (usually as long as the length from your wrist to the tip of the middle finger)
5. Empty cup preferably copper or brass else stainless steel. This will be used for pouring water & flowers during the puja to avoid creating a mess in the puja area.
6. Incense sticks
7. 2 OIL LAMPS with oil and cotton wicks and a PLATE bi enough to keep the OIL LAMP
8. CAMPHOR
9. CHANDAN, sandlewood paste
10. KUMKUM – you can make this at home if you can’t uy- mix lime (CAOH) with turmeric  (1:1) and lemon juice
11. TURMERIC
12. AKSHADHA – RAW RICE mixed with very little TURMERIC to give it  a yellow color
13. CLEAN WATER in the PANCHA PATRA
14. COCONUT – broken in 2 halves
15. FRESH FRUITS – BANANAS, ORANGES, APPLES, GUAVAVAS, GRAPES
16. BETEL/PAN LEAVES – 2 nos
17. FLOWERS – whole & petals
18. DHURVA GRASS / ARGAM PILLU – its a kind of grass that looks like a TRIDENT / TRISHUL and is considered to be favorite of LORD GANESHA. 
19. FLOWER GARLAND 
20. A BRASS or COPPER PLATE to offer ARATHI
21. MODAK, LADOOS freshly prepared for NAIVEDYA

Puja starts here

Some instructions before you start

Take bath and freshen up in the morning. You may drink some beverage (tea / coffee). You can have your breakfast if its absolutely unavoidable. Its best to do this in EMPTY STOMACH.

Readying the place for Puja – Sweep the place with a broom and then sprinkle some water and wipe it (you can do it yourself or get a maid to do it).

Then you can draw a RANGOLI using RICE FLOUR / RANGOLI POWDER. In case of RICE FLOUR it will be just WHITE in color and its fine.

Here’s a simple STAR for beginners –

Or you can make a simple SWASTIK

If you wish to go more elaborate there are many youtube channels like this one – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cz6K-scAJI

Place your IDOL / PHOTO of LORD GANESHA on top of the RANGOLI / KOLAM. If you have a altar, you may place the altar on top of your RANGOLI / KOLAM.

Where & how to sit – Puja room / Puja Altar or North-East or East or North of your house / room. Sit facing EAST with all the items cited above in front of you.

Then you may place all the items in between your IDOL / Photo and yourself. You may put your ASAN (the place where you will be sitting) straw mat, short wooden stool , woolen mat, blanket on the other side of the IDOL./photo. So that when you sit facing EAST, you are facing the IDOL/PHOTO.

PUJA BEGINS HERE

1.  Achamanyam – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA using the UDRINI/SPOON using your left hand and place it on the RIGHT PALM and direct the water in your RIGHT PALM into your mouth without sipping and without your palm or wrist touching your inner mouth.
   1. Achutaya namaha
   2. Anantaya namaha
   3. Govindaya namaha
2. GANAPATI DHYANAM – ring the bell, then chant the mantra with your eyes closed and hands folded in prayer
   1. Shuklam bharadharam, 
   2. vishnum shashi varnam chaturbhujam,
   3. prasanna vadanam dhyayet
   4. sarva vighna upashantiye
3. SANKALPAM – pointed resolve
   1. Mamopath-tha, samastha dhuridha ksheye dwara
   2. Sri parameshwara prithyartham,
   3. maha ganapati prasada siddhyartham
   4. tat prasadena sad-budhi siddhyatham
   5. Sri mahaanapati pujam karishye 
4. DHAYANAM – with folded hands
   1. Aga anana padmarkam
   2. Gajananam aharnisham
   3. Anekadam tam bhakatanam
   4. Ekadantam upasmahe
   5. Asmin bimbe chitrapathe
   6. Sumukham
   7. Maha ganapatim dhyayami
5. AVAHANAM – welcome the GOD
   1. Atragachha jaadvandya
   2. Suraraja arhiteswara
   3. Anadhinatha sarvajna
   4. Gajanana harapriya
   5. Asmin bimbe chitrapathe
   6. Sumuham maha ganapatim avahayami
6. PRATHISTHAPAN (only on GANESH CHATHURTHI)
   1. Asyai Pranah Pratishthantu Asyai Pranaksharantu Cha।
   2. Asyai Devatvamarchayai Mamaheti Cha Kashchana॥
   3. Om Siddhi-Buddhi Sahitaya Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah।
   4. Supratishtho Varado Bhava॥
7. ASANAM – 
   1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture) , maha ganapataye namah
   2. Asanartham akshatam samarpaami – offering the seat (offer akshadha on the IDOL’s feet with your RIGHT hand at the end of this mantra (while chanting SAMARPAYAMI
8. PADYAM – washing the legs / foot of the GOD
   1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
   2. Padayoh padyam samarpaami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
9. ARGHYAM – washing the hands of the GOD
   1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
   2. Hastayoh arghyam samarpayami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
10. ACHAMANYAM – this is a purification ritual
    1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture)e, maha ganapataye namah
    2. Mukhe achamanyam samarpayami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI/SPOON in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
11. SNANAM – ceremonial bath
    1. Gangadi sarve thithebyah
    2. Ahrtaih vimalaih jalaih
    3. Snanam kuruushva bhagawan
    4. Umaputra namostu te
    5. Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    6. Suddhodhaka snanam samarpayami – take a flower or petal in our RIGHT HAND, dip it in water, sprinkle it on the GOD while chantin SAMARPAYAMI
    7. Snanantaram achamanyam samarpayami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
12. VASTRAM
    1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    2. Vastrartham akshatam samarpaami – offering the seat (offer akshadha on the IDOL’s feet with your RIGHT hand at the end of this mantra (while chanting SAMARPAYAMI
13. UPAVITAM / YAGYOPAVITAM
    1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    2. Upavitartham akshatam samarpaami – offering the seat (offer akshadha on the IDOL’s feet with your RIGHT hand at the end of this mantra (while chanting SAMARPAYAMI
14. GANDHAH – sandalwood paste
    1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    2. Divya parimala gandha dharayami – smear some sandalwood paste on the tip of the RING FINGER of your RIGHT HAND and smear it between the eyebrows of the IDOL
15. KUMKUMAM – offer umkum
    1. Gandhasya upari haridra kumkumam samarpayami – smear some sandalwood paste on the tip of the RING FINGER of your RIGHT HAND and smear it between the eyebrows of the IDOL
16. PUSHPAMALA DHARAYAMI – place the flower garland on the IDOL
    1. Suandhini cha pushpani, jati kunda mukhani cha
    2. eka vimsati samkhyani rahana gana-nayaa
    3.  Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    4. Pushpa malah dharayami, pushpaih pujayami
17. ARCHANA- offer a flower  petal everytime you chant “namah”
    1. Om sumukhaye namah
    2. Om ekadantaya namah
    3. Om kapilaya namah
    4. Om gaja-karnakaya namah
    5. Om lambodaraya namah
    6. Om vikataya namah
    7. Om vignarajaya namah
    8. Om vinayakaya namah
    9. Om dhumraketuve namah
    10. Om gana-dhyakshaya namah
    11. Om Bhala – chandraya namah
    12. Om gajananaa namah
    13. Om vakratundaya namah
    14. Om shurpa-karnaya namah
    15. Om Herambhaye namah
    16. Om skanda-purvajaya namah
    17. Om MAHA GANAPATAYE NAMAH
    18. Nanavidha parimala patra pushpani samarpayami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI/SPOON in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
18. DHUPA – INCENSE
    1. take 2-3 lighted incense sticks and make 3 circles (clockwise for you) in the air in front of the IDOL
    2. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    3. Dhupam Aaghrapaami, achamanyam samarpayami – – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI/SPOON in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
19. DIPAM
    1. Light a SINGLE WICK oil lamp and place it on a plate and pick up the plate with both the hands and carefully make 3 circles (clocwise) in the air in front of the IDOL Then place it down, bow your head for a second 
    2. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture)e, maha ganapataye namah
    3. Divya mangala dipam darshayami, Dipanantaram achamanyam samarpayami – take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI/SPOON in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
20. NAIVEDYAM
    1. Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    2. Choose what ever has been cooked
       1. Modakam (kozhakattai) and/or
       2.  mashapupam (urad vada)
       3. Payasam (kheer)
       4. kadaliphalam (bananas)
       5. Narikhela khandam (coconut in 2 halves)
       6. Sarvam maha naivedam Nivedyami
       7. Naivedyanantaram Achamanyam samarpayami
    3. Take a lower in your RIGHT hand and water in the UDRINI / SPOON in your left. Dip the flower in the water, move the flower 3 times in clockwise direction above & around the food you are offering to the GOD (when you make the circle in the air its circumference should encapsulate all the vessels of food). Show the flower to the IDOL and place it on the bowl on the right
    4. Take a spoon full of water from the PANCHAPATRA in the UDRINI/SPOON in your right hand and pour it into a vessel on your right
21. TAMBULAM – offer betel leafs and supari
    1. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    2. Tamulam nivedaami
22. NIRANJANAM – light the CAMPHOR
    1. Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    2. arpura nirananam darshayami
    3. nirajananaram achamanyam samarpayami
    4. Take a small flower on your right hand and a UDRINI/SPOON of water from he PANCHAPATRA, dip the lower in the water. Move the flower 3 times in clockwise circle around the betel leaves in front of you. Show the flower to the lord and place it on the right hand owl. Take a spoonful of water from the PANCHAPATRA with your RIGHT HAND, RING THE BELL with your left and pour water into the bowl on the RIGHT while chanting samarpatami.
23. MANTRA PUSHPAM
    1. Take a flower yourself and give one to everyone around you, ask them to place it at the FEET of the IDOL at the end of this MANTRA
    2. Asmi bimbe (if you have an IDOL) / chitrapathe (if you have a picture), maha ganapataye namah
    3. Mantra pushpam samarpayami
    4. Yo’pam pushpam veda, pushpavan-praavan pashuman havati
    5. chandrama va apam pushpam puspavan praavan pashuman bhavati
24. NAMASKARAM – ask everyone to revolve 3 times at the place they are standing and prostrate to the GOD at the end of the mantra.
    1. Namo namo aneshaya namaste vishwa rupine
    2. Nirvihnam kuru me kamam namami tvam gajanana
    3. Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    4. Praakshana namaskaran samarpayami
    5. Asmi bimbe chitrapathe, maha ganapataye namah
    6. samasta upacharan samarpaami
25. SAMARPANAM
    1. Kayena vacha manasa indriyair-va
    2. uddhyatmana va prariteh svabhava
    3. karomi yadyat sakalam parasmai
    4. narayanadyeti samarpayami
26. VISARJANA MANTRA – only after GANESH CHATHURTHI puja when you perform visarjan after 1.5 days / 3 days / 5 days / 7 days / 9 days. You will need to chant these mantras while immersing the IDOL in water. You can do the VISARJAN in a clean bucket at your home too and use the MUD to plant a tulsi or any other plant like jasmine (avoid onion or garlic)
    1. Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Tavarchanam।
    2. Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Ganeshwara॥
    3. Anyatha Sharanam Nasti Tvameva Sharanam Mam।
    4. Tasmatkarunya Bhavena Rakshasva Vighneshwara॥
    5. Gatam Papam Gatam Dukham Gatam Daridraya Meva Cha।
    6. Agata Sukha Sampattih Punyachcha Tava Darshanat॥
    7. Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwara।
    8. Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurnam Tadastu Me॥
    9. Yadaksharapada Bhrashtam Matrahinam Cha Yadbhavet।
    10. Tatsarva Kshamyatam Deva Prasida Parameshwara॥
27. Om tat sat! Om tat sat! Om tat sat!