Ganesha Puja Vidhi: Know all sixteen steps of worship of Lord Ganesh
During Diwali, we provide a thorough Ganesha Puja Vidhi. People should purchase Lord Ganesha’s new Pratima for Diwali Puja. This Puja Vidhi is given to Shri Ganesha’s new Pratima or Murti. Shodashopachara Puja is the name given to the Puja Vidhi that contains all sixteen steps of worship.
- Dhyana (ध्यान)
The Lord Ganesha meditation should be the first part of the puja. Dhyana should be performed in front of a Shri Ganesha statue that has already been placed. While focusing on Lord Ganesha, repeat the following mantra.
उदयद-दिनेश्वर-रुचिम निजा-हस्त-पद मैह,
पाशांकुशभाय-वरन दधातम गजस्यम।
रक्तांबरम सकल-दुख-हरम गणेशम,
उदयद-दिनेश्वर-रुचिम निजा-हस्त-पद मैह,
पाशांकुशभाय-वरन दधातम गजस्यम।
रक्तांबरम सकल-दुख-हरम गणेशम,
ध्याने प्रसन्नाखिलाभरणभिरामम्॥
Meaning – The gaz-mukh, who removes all evil, belongs to Ganesha, who acts as a blood-cloth, like the character of the sun-like the sun, the one who destroys the commode, is in the form of bad, fearless and groom and beautiful- Manohar is modified with different types of ornaments.
- Avahana (आवाहन)
Following Shri Ganesha’s Dhyana, say the following Mantra in front of the Murti while showing Avahan Mudra (Avahan Mudra is formed by joining both palms and folding both thumbs inwards).
अगच्छ देवा-देवेश! तेजोरशे गण-पटे!
क्रियामनम् माया पूजाम गृहण सुर-सत्तमा!श्रीमद्-गणपति-देवं अवहायमी॥
Meaning – O God of Gods! O splendid Shri Ganesha! Worshipped by Gods! Please come and accept the Puja offered by me. Thus, I invoke Lord Shri Ganesha.
- Pushpanjali (पुष्पाञ्जलि)
After Shri Ganesha has been summoned, do an Anjali (by uniting the palms of both hands) and place five flowers in front of the Murti to offer Shri Ganesha a seat while repeating the Mantra.
नाना-रत्न-समायुक्तम, कर्ता-स्वर-विभूतम।
आसनम देवा-देवेश! प्रियार्थम प्रति-गृह्यताम्।श्री गणेश-देवय आसनार्थे पंच-पुष्पणि समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O God of Gods! Please take the seat which is decorated with gold and various types of jewels for my pleasure. Thus, I offer five flowers for the seat of Lord Shri Ganesha.
- Swagat (स्वागत)
After presenting Shri Ganesha a flower-made seat, sing the following Mantra with folded palms to greet him.
श्री गणेश-देव! स्वागतम।
Meaning – O Ganesha Deva! I welcome you.
- Padya (पाद्य)
After greeting Shri Ganesha, wash His feet with water while chanting the Mantra.
पद्यम गृहण देवेश, सर्व-क्षेम-समर्थ, भो!
भक्त समरपिताम देवा, गण-पटे! नमोस्तु ते
श्री गणेश-देवाय पद्यम् नमः
Meaning – O God of Gods, who is capable of doing all sorts of welfare! I offer the water to wash the feet with full devotion, please accept it. O Shri Ganesha! I pay my obeisance to you. Thus, it is the water to wash the feet of Shri Ganesha and I greet Him.
- Arghya (अर्घ्य)
After the Padya sacrifice, repeat the Mantra and present water to Shri Ganesha for head Abhishekam.
नमस्ते देवा-देवेश! नमस्ते धरणी-धारा!
नमस्ते जगदाधारा, गणेश! अर्घ्यम गृहण।
गंध-पुष्पक्षतार्युक्तम, फला-द्रव्य-समनवितम्।
गृहण तोयामर्घ्यार्थम, परमेश्वर वत्सला!श्री गणेश-देवय अर्घ्यं स्वाहा
Meaning – O Shri Ganesha! I greet You. I salute the God of Gods who bearing or sustaining the earth! Support of the universe! I salute you. Please accept the water for head Abhishekam. O welfare-doing supreme God! Please accept the water, mixed with Chandan, flower and rice for head Abhishekam along with fruit and other liquids. Thus, I deliver Arghya for Shri Ganesha.
- Gandha-Samarpan/Chandan-Samarpan (गन्ध-समर्पण/चन्दन-समर्पण)
While repeating the Mantra, offer Chandan to Shri Ganesha.
श्री-खंड-चंदनम दिव्यं गंधाध्यां सुमनोहरम।
विलेपनम गणपत! चंदनम प्रति-गृह्यताम्श्री गणेश-देवय चंदनं समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O Shri Ganesha! Please accept delightful and aromatic sandal paste to anoint the body. Thus, I offer sandal paste to Shri Ganesha.
- Pushpa-Samarpan (पुष्प-समर्पण)
While repeating the Mantra, offer flowers to Shri Ganesha.
यथा-प्राप्त-ऋतु-पुष्पैः, विलव-तुलसी-दलिश्चे!
पुजायामी गणपति! प्रसीड़ा में सुरेश्वर!श्री गणेश-देवय पुष्पम समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O Shri Ganesha! I worship You with available seasonal flowers, Vilva and basil-leaves. O God of Gods! Please shower me with your blessings. Thus I offer flowers for Shri Ganesha.
- Dhoop-Samarpan (धूप-समर्पण)
Now, while singing the Mantra, offer Dhoop to Shri Ganesha.
वानस्पति-रसौद्भूतो गंधाध्याय सुमनोहरः।
अघ्रेयः सर्व-देवनम्, धूपोयं प्रति-गृह्यताम्।श्री गणेश-देवय धूपम समरपयामी॥
Meaning – Please accept this beautiful, charming, aromatic Dhoop which is made of trees’ sap and qualified for inhaling by all Gods. Thus, I offer Dhoop for Shri Ganesha.
- Deep-Samarpan (दीप-समर्पण)
Now, while repeating the Mantra, offer Deep to Shri Ganesha.
सज्यम वर्ति-संयुक्तम् चा वाहनिना योजितम् माया,
दीपम गृहण देवेश! त्रैलोक्य-तिमिरपहं।
भक्ति दीपं प्रयाच्छमि देवय परमात्मा।
त्राहि माम निरयद घोड़ादिपोयम प्रति-गृह्यतम॥श्री गणेश-देवय दीपं समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O God of Gods! Please accept the lamp with Ghee and lighten by me with cotton-wick, which can remove darkness from three worlds. I offer the lamp to superior to the superior Shri Ganesh Deva with full devotion. Thus, I offer Deepak for Shri Ganesha.
- Naivedya-Samarpan (नैवेद्य-समर्पण)
Now, while repeating the Mantra, offer Naivedya to Shri Ganesha.
शारकारा-खंडा-खदानी दधी-क्षीरा-घृतानी चा।
अहरो भाष्य-भोज्यम च नैवेद्यं प्रति-गृह्यतम।यथमशताः श्री गणेश-देवय नैवेद्यं समरपयामी –
ओम प्रणय स्वाहा ओम अपानय स्वाहा
ओम समान्य स्वाहा ओम उदयनय स्वाहा
ओम व्यन्या स्वाहा
Meaning – Please accept the offered meal which includes sugar made sweets and other eatable and drinkable items with curd, milk and Ghee. I offer Naivedya to, thus qualified, Shri Ganesha. Please accept it for all five vital airs of the body, namely Prana, Apana, Samana, Udana and Vyana.
- Achamana-Samarpan/Jal-Samarpan (आचमन-समर्पण/जल-समर्पण)
Now, while singing the Mantra, present water to Shri Ganesha for Achamana.
ततः पनियाम समरपयामी इति उत्तरापोशनम।
हस्त-प्रक्षालनं समरपयामी। मुख-प्रकाशनम।
करोद्वर्तनार्थे चंदनम समरपयामी।
Meaning – After Naivedya I offer the water for drinking and Achamana (sipping water from the palm of the hand for purification), for cleaning hands, for cleaning face; along with sandal paste for anointing hands.
- Tambula-Samarpan (ताम्बूल-समर्पण)
Now, while singing the Mantra, offer Tambula (Paan with betel nuts) to Shri Ganesha.
पूगी-फलम महा-दिव्याम नागा-वल्ली-दलैरियुतम।
करपुरैला-समायुक्तम तंबुलम प्रति-गृह्यताम्।श्री गणेश-देवय मुख-वसारथम पूगी-फला-युक्तम तंबुलम समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O God of Gods, Please accept Tambula made of betel leaves, fortified with highly refined betel nuts, camphor and cardamom. Thus I offer Tambula with betel-nuts for mouth refreshment of Shri Ganesha.
- Dakshina (दक्षिणा)
Now, while singing the Mantra, give Dakshina (gift) to Shri Ganesha.
हिरण्य-गर्भ-गर्भस्थम हेमा-विजम विभवसो।
अनंत-पुण्य-फलादमता शांतििम प्रयाच्छा मे॥श्री गणेश-देवय सुवर्णा-पुष्पा-दक्षिणं समरपयामी॥
Meaning – O God of Gods! You bestow endless blessing, please give me peace with gold-filled Champak flower. Thus, I offer gold like flower as gift to Shri Ganesha.
- Pradakshina (प्रदक्षिणा)
Now, while singing the Mantra, offer symbolic Pradakshina (circumambulate from Shri Ganesha’s left to right).
यानी कनि चा पापनी जनमंतरा-कृतिनी चा।
तानी तानी विनशयंती प्रदक्षिणं पदे पडे॥
अन्यथा शरणं नस्ति त्वमेव शरणं प्रभु!
तस्मत करुणा-भावन क्षमस्व परमेश्वर:श्री गणेश-देवय प्रदक्षिणं समरपयामी॥
Meaning – Sins, whatever it may be done in this and earlier births all of them be destroyed by the self circumambulation at every step. O Lord, please show mercy on me as there is no one but you, I prostrate in front of you, to kill all my sins and to seek Your blessings. Thus, I offer Pradakshina to Shri Ganesha.
- Vandana-Sahita Pushpanjali Mantra (वन्दना-सहित पुष्पाञ्जलि)
Now, while singing the Mantra, conduct Vandana and offer flowers to Shri Ganesha.
कारा-कृतं वा कयाजम कर्मजं वा,
श्रवण-नयनजं वा मनसम वापरधाम।
विदितमाविदितं वा सर्वमेतत क्षमस्व,
जय जय करुणाब्धे, श्री गणपत! त्राही।श्री गणेश-देवय मंत्र-पुष्पम समरपयामी॥
Meaning – Whatever sins have committed by actions performed by my hands and feet, produced by my body or works, produced by my ears and eyes, or sins committed by my mind knowingly or unknowingly, please forgive them all. Victory, victory to You, O Shri Ganesha, please protect me. Thus, I offer flowers to Shri Ganesha.
- Sashtanga-Pranam (साष्टाङ्ग-प्रणाम)
Now, while singing the Mantra, offer Sashtanga Pranam (Pranam done with eight limbs) to Shri Ganesha.
नमः सर्व-हितार्थय जगदाधारा – हेतवे।
सष्टंगोयं सुप्रानामः प्रायत्ने माया कृताः
नमोस्तवनंतय सहस्र-मुरताये सहस्र-पदाक्षी-शिरोरु-बहावे।
Meaning – For the welfare of all, the basic of the world, I have done this prostrate obeisance to you – to the infinite Lord, to the Lord of thousands of forms, to the Lord with thousands of feet-eyes-head-femoral and arms.
- Kshama-Prarthana (क्षमा-प्रार्थना)
Now ask Shri Ganesha for forgiveness for any known or unknown faults made throughout the Puja while repeating the Mantra.
आवाहनं ना जन्मी ना जन्मी विसर्जन।
पूजा-कर्म न जनमी क्षमस्व परमेश्वर:
मंत्र-हिनं क्रिया-हिनं भक्ति-हिनं सुरेश्वर!
माया यत-पुजितं देवा! परिपूर्णम तदस्तु मे
अपराधा – सहस्रानी क्रियान्तेहर्निशं माया।
दसोहामिति मैम मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्वर।
विदेही देवा! कल्याणं विदेही विपुलम श्रीयम।
रूपम देही, जयम देही, यशो देही, द्विशो जही।
यस्य स्मृति च नमोक्त्य तपो-यज्ञ-क्रियादिशु।
न्युनं संपूर्णनतम यति सद्यो वंदे तमाच्युतम
अनेना यथा-मिलिटोपाचार-द्रव्यैः कृत-पूजनें श्री गणेश-देवः प्रियतम।श्री गणेश-देवरपनामस्तु॥
Meaning – I do not how to invoke you, nor do I know how to immerse you, and I also do not know how to worship you, O Lord please forgive me. I do not know Mantra or holy action or devotion, O Lord whatsoever worship I have been able to do, please make it complete. O Lord Ganesha, considering me as Your servant, forgive the thousands of sins committed by me throughout the day and night. O Lord, give me all well-meaning things, give me great wealth. Give me looks, give me victory, give me fame and destroy my enemies.
In spiritual austerity and in worshipping, by whose recollection and by whose name-chanting, whatever is partial is made complete in an instant, to that Lord Achyuta I salute.
O Lord, as possible I have worshipped You from available Puja materials, be pleased O Lord Ganesha. Thus, I offer all this worship to Shri Ganesha.
- Raksha Mantra (रक्षा मन्त्र)
After begging Shri Ganesha for forgiveness, repeat the following mantra while begging Shri Ganesha to protect you after Shodashopachara Puja.
Om रक्षा रक्षा गणाध्यक्ष ! रक्षा त्रैलोक्य – रक्षक!
भक्तनाभयम कर्ता! त्राता भव भवर्णवत।अनेना पूजनेना श्री गणेशः रिद्धि-सिद्धि-सहितः प्रियतम, नमो नमः
Meaning – O president of the groups! Protect me, protect me O protector of the three worlds! protect me O fearless devotee! Be the protector of me from the ocean of the world.
ll May Lord Ganesha be pleased with Riddhi and Siddhi by this worship, bowing to him again and again. ll
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can we do Ganesh Abhishek at home?
Do the abhishekam by mixing rice flour with water. Then follows honey, milk, lemon juice, tender coconut water, curd, and panchamirtham. In a plate, combine the panchamirtham and honey. Pour some water, then proceed with the sandal paste, kumkum, and viboodhi abhishekam.
2. How do you pray Ganesh Chaturthi?
Sit in front of a portrait or idol of Ganesha to pray to him. Light your diya, light some incense, and prepare some ladoos, modaks, or other sweets to offer. You can also gain his favour by placing a garland around the photo or idol.
3. Which direction should Ganesh idol face in home?
The East or North-East is the preferred direction to place the Ganpati idol. Never put the idol in the direction of the south or against a toilet’s wall. This is the most crucial element to remember.
4. What is the Favourite fruit of Lord Ganesha?
Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet is modak. Although Lord Ganesha is served a variety of fresh and seasonal fruits as bhog, the elephant-headed God’s fondness for bananas is understandable. People also make garlands out of banana leaves, banana plant stems, and banana blooms.
