Lord Ganesha, known as the remover of obstacles and the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings, holds a special place in Hinduism. Worshiping Lord Ganesha is believed to help devotees overcome various problems in life. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to worship Lord Ganesha to seek his blessings and remedies for your problems.
Preparation for Worship
- Cleanliness and Purity:
- Take a bath and wear clean clothes before starting the worship.
- Clean the area where the pooja will be performed. A clean and clutter-free environment is essential for any pooja.
- Setting Up the Altar:
- Choose a clean and quiet place for setting up the altar.
- Place an idol or a picture of Lord Ganesha on a raised platform or a clean cloth.
- Decorate the altar with fresh flowers, garlands, and rangoli.
Items Required for Worship
- Idol or picture of Lord Ganesha
- A brass or silver plate
- A diya (lamp) with ghee or oil
- Incense sticks (agarbatti) and camphor
- Fresh flowers and garlands
- Fruits and sweets (especially Modaks, Lord Ganesha’s favorite)
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Kumkum (vermilion), haldi (turmeric), chandan (sandalwood paste), and akshat (unbroken rice)
- A piece of red cloth
- A small bowl of water for sprinkling
- A bell
Detailed Worship Procedure
- Invocation (Dhyan and Avahan):
- Sit comfortably in front of the altar. Close your eyes and chant the following mantra to invoke Lord Ganesha:
ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे
कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम्।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत
आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिःसीदसादनम्॥
Om Gananaam Tva Ganapatim Havaamahe
Kavim Kaveenaam Upamashravastamam।
Jyeshtharaajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspata
Aanah Shrnvannootibhih Seeda Saadanam॥
- Offering (Upachara):
- Lighting the Lamp and Incense: Light the diya and incense sticks. Place them on the altar as a symbol of illuminating the divine.
- Offering Flowers and Garland: Offer fresh flowers and a garland to Lord Ganesha.
- Applying Kumkum and Haldi: Apply a small amount of kumkum and haldi on the idol or picture.
- Sprinkling Water: Sprinkle water on the idol to symbolize purification.
- Offering Sweets and Fruits: Place fruits and sweets, especially Modaks, in front of the deity.
- Chanting Mantras:
- Recite the following mantra to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings:
ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः
Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah
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- You can also chant the following Ganesha mantra 108 times:
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
- Reciting Ganesha Stotra:
- Recite the Ganesha Stotra or any other hymns dedicated to Lord Ganesha. One popular stotra is:
शुक्लांबरधरं विष्णुं
शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत्
सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
Shuklaam Baradharam Vishnum
Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam।
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet
Sarva Vighnopa Shaantaye॥
- Performing Aarti:
- Perform the aarti with a ghee lamp, moving it in a circular motion in front of the idol while singing the Ganesha Aarti:
जय गणेश, जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा
माताजी की पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva॥
- Offering Water (Achamana):
- Offer a few drops of water to Lord Ganesha after the aarti.
- Praying for Removal of Obstacles:
- Sit quietly and meditate on Lord Ganesha. Visualize him removing all obstacles from your path.
- Sincerely pray to him, expressing your problems and seeking his guidance and blessings.
- Concluding the Pooja:
- End the pooja by chanting:
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih
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- Distribute the prasadam (blessed food) to family members and friends.
Significance of Worshiping Lord Ganesha
Worshiping Lord Ganesha helps in:
- Removing Obstacles: As Vighnaharta, he removes hurdles from our path, making it easier to achieve goals.
- Gaining Wisdom and Knowledge: Ganesha is the deity of intellect and wisdom, providing clarity and insight.
- Bringing Prosperity: He is associated with wealth and prosperity, ensuring a successful and fulfilling life.
- Starting New Endeavors: He is invoked at the beginning of new ventures to ensure success and auspiciousness.
By following this detailed pooja procedure, devotees can connect deeply with Lord Ganesha, seeking his divine intervention to overcome life’s challenges and attain a harmonious and prosperous life.
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