Jai Ganesh Deva — Ganesh Aarti

The First Prayer of Every Puja

In Hindu tradition, no worship begins without first invoking Lord Ganesha. He is Vighnaharta — the remover of obstacles — and Prathamapoojya — the first to be worshipped. Before any scripture reading, before any ceremony, before any new beginning, Ganesha is called.

Jai Ganesh Deva is the most common form of that invocation — a simple, warm aarti that any family can sing together. You will hear it at temple aartis, at weddings, at Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, and at the household shrine every morning and evening.

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जय गणेश देवा — Verse 1 (Chorus)

जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा ।
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा ॥

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva. Mata Jaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva.

Victory to Ganesha! Victory, victory to the Divine Lord Ganesha! His mother is Parvati, his father is Mahadeva (Shiva).

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Verse 2

एकदंत दयावंत चारभुज धारी ।
माथे सिंदूर सोहे मूसे की सवारी ॥

Ekdant Dayavant Charbhuj Dhari. Mathe Sindoor Sohe Muse Ki Savari.

You are single-tusked and full of compassion, bearing four arms. Red sindoor glows on your forehead, and you ride upon your mount — the little mouse.

The description here captures Ganesha’s unmistakable form: the broken tusk (symbol of sacrifice — he broke it to write the Mahabharata), four arms holding his characteristic objects (noose, goad, modak, and lotus or broken tusk), the sindoor smeared on his trunk and forehead, and the charming image of the mighty elephant-headed god riding so humbly on a mouse.

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Verse 3

पान चढ़े फूल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा ।
लड्डुअन का भोग लगे संत करें सेवा ॥

Pan Chadhe Phool Chadhe Aur Chadhe Meva. Ladduwan Ka Bhog Lage Sant Karen Seva.

Betel leaves are offered, flowers are offered, and dry fruits too. Laddus are offered as prasad, and the saints perform your service with devotion.

The laddoo — the round, sweet ball made of besan, ghee, and sugar — is Ganesha’s priya bhog (favourite food offering). No Ganesh puja is complete without laddoos. The verse lists the traditional offerings that constitute a complete puja.

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Verse 4

अंधन को आँख देत कोढ़िन को काया ।
बाँझन को पुत्र देत निर्धन को माया ॥

Andhan Ko Aankh Det Kodhin Ko Kaya. Banjhan Ko Putra Det Nirdhan Ko Maya.

You give sight to the blind, you heal the body of those with disease. You give children to the childless and wealth to the poor.

This verse is the heart of why devotees love Ganesha — not as an abstract deity but as one who responds concretely to human need. The blind see. The sick are healed. The longing for a child is fulfilled. Poverty is relieved. This is the Hindu understanding of grace: practical, particular, personal.

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Verse 5 (Closing)

‘सूर’ श्याम शरण आए सफल कीजे सेवा ।
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा ॥

‘Soor’ Shyam Sharan Aaye Safal Keeje Seva. Mata Jaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva.

‘Soor’ Shyam has come to your shelter — make this service of mine fruitful. His mother is Parvati, his father is Mahadeva.

The poet signs off in the traditional manner, naming himself (Soor Shyam — a poet’s pen name) and placing himself in Ganesha’s shelter. The chorus returns, circling back to the beginning: Parvati’s son, Shiva’s son, Lord of the worlds.

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How to Perform Ganesha Aarti

1. Place the image or murti of Ganesha at the puja altar
2. Offer flowers, betel leaves, and laddoos
3. Light a ghee lamp (diya) or camphor (kapoor)
4. Wave the lamp in a clockwise circle before Ganesha while singing
5. Ring the bell throughout the aarti
6. After the aarti, distribute prasad (laddoos or other sweets) to everyone present

Ganesha aarti is traditionally performed:

• At the start of every puja or religious ceremony
• On Ganesh Chaturthi (the major Ganesha festival)
• Every Wednesday (Ganesha’s special day)
• Before beginning any important work — an exam, a business venture, a journey, a marriage