Ganesh Puja Vidhi — Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Lord Ganesha (गणेश) — the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati — is worshipped first before any important work or ritual. He is Vignaharta (remover of obstacles) and Vighnakartha (creator of obstacles for the unworthy).
The tradition says: Never begin a new venture, a marriage, a business, or any puja without first praying to Ganesha.
Best Time for Ganesh Puja
- Daily: Early morning or before any important task
- Weekly: Wednesday (Budhavar) is Ganesha’s day
- Monthly: Chaturthi (4th day of lunar fortnight — especially Krishna Chaturthi, called Sankashti)
- Annual festival: Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi — August/September)
Samagri (Materials)
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Ganesha idol or image | For puja |
| Durva grass (21 blades) | Most sacred to Ganesha |
| Modak or laddoo | His favorite food |
| Red flowers (hibiscus, rose) | Sacred to him |
| Red sandalwood paste | Anointing |
| Banana | Naivedya offering |
| Jaggery + sesame (til-gur) | Traditional sweet |
| Coconut | Purna-phala |
| Yellow cloth | Ganesha’s color |
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Purification Bathe, wear clean clothes (yellow or orange preferred). Clean the puja area.
Step 2: Dhyana (Meditation) Close eyes and visualize Lord Ganesha. Recite:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha. Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada.
O Lord of curved trunk and large body, as radiant as a million suns — make all my works free of obstacles, always.
Step 3: Invocation Offer flowers and invite Ganesha’s presence:
“Aagacha Gananadhisha surpakarna Mahodara. Anugrihneehi no Deva pujam grihana suvrata.”
Step 4: Panchamrit Abhishek Bathe the idol with panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) one by one, then clean water.
Step 5: Offerings
Offer each item with the corresponding mantra:
- Durva grass (in sets of 3 blades): “Om Ganesha Namah” — repeat 21 times
- Modak/laddoo: “Om Lambodara Namah”
- Flowers: “Om Ekadantaya Namah”
- Akshat (rice with turmeric): “Om Vignahartrey Namah”
Step 6: Ganesha Mantra
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Chant 108 times. This is the beej mantra (seed mantra) of Ganesha — the most powerful single mantra for him.
Step 7: Ashtottara (108 Names) If time permits, recite the 108 names of Ganesha. See 108 Names of Ganesha →
Step 8: Aarti Wave the camphor diya in circular motion before Ganesha while singing:
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva…
Step 9: Prasad Distribution The modak offered becomes prasad. Distribute to family members.
Ganesh Chaturthi Special Puja
On this festival (usually August/September), bring a clay Ganesha murti home. Perform the full shodashopachara puja daily for 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 11 days. On the final day, take the murti to a water body for visarjan (immersion) while singing bhajans.
Important: Do NOT look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. Looking at the moon is believed to bring false accusations.
Sankat Nashana Ganesha Stotra
Recite this powerful stotra for removing all obstacles:
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम्। भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यं आयुः कामार्थसिद्धये॥
Pranamya shirasa devam gauriputram vinayakam. Bhaktavasam smarennityam ayuh kamartha siddhaye.