The 32 Forms of Ganapati

Bala Ganapati

बाल गणपति

The child-god, golden-red like the rising sun, holding a banana, mango, sugarcane and jackfruit — the innocent abundance of beginnings.

Taruna Ganapati

तरुण गणपति

The youthful form, bright red, bearing noose, goad, broken tusk, wood-apple, rose-apple, sprig of paddy, sugarcane and a sweet — vigour and fresh energy.

Bhakti Ganapati

भक्ति गणपति

White as the autumn moon, dear to devotees, holding a coconut, mango, banana and a bowl of sweet payasa — the Lord of loving devotion.

Vira Ganapati

वीर गणपति

The valiant warrior, bearing a full array of weapons — shield, bow, arrow, sword, mace, trident, discus — the heroic remover of fear.

Shakti Ganapati

शक्ति गणपति

Sindoor-red, seated with the Devi (Shakti) on his lap, holding a garland and granting protection — household harmony and grace.

Dvija Ganapati

द्विज गणपति

The 'twice-born', moon-white and four-headed, holding a book, staff, rosary and water-pot — the sanctified Lord of study and vows.

Siddhi Ganapati

सिद्धि गणपति

Golden-yellow and content, holding a bouquet, an axe, a mango and sugarcane with a sweet — the giver of accomplishment and success.

Ucchishta Ganapati

उच्छिष्ट गणपति

Blue-hued esoteric form of the Shakta-tantric lineage, holding a veena, lotus, pomegranate, rosary and paddy — Lord of blessed offerings.

Vighna Ganapati

विघ्न गणपति

Brilliant gold, garlanded with flowers, bearing conch, discus, flower-arrow, noose, goad, tusk and sweets — the supreme remover of obstacles.

Kshipra Ganapati

क्षिप्र गणपति

Handsome red form, holding the broken tusk, noose, goad and a sprig of the wish-fulfilling kalpavriksha — the quick bestower of boons.

Heramba Ganapati

हेरम्ब गणपति

White, five-headed, riding a lion, hands in abhaya and varada with noose, rosary, axe, tusk and sweets — protector of the weak.

Lakshmi Ganapati

लक्ष्मी गणपति

Pure white, flanked by Buddhi and Siddhi, holding a parrot, pomegranate, sword and noose — the giver of wealth and wisdom.

Maha Ganapati

महा गणपति

Red and three-eyed with the Shakti beside him, bearing lotus, pomegranate, mace, sugarcane bow, discus, conch, noose and paddy — the great tantric Lord.

Vijaya Ganapati

विजय गणपति

Red, riding his mushika (mouse), holding tusk, noose, goad and a golden mango — the bestower of victory.

Nritya Ganapati

नृत्य गणपति

Golden dancer beneath the kalpavriksha, holding tusk, goad, noose and a sweet, fingers ringed — the joy of divine dance.

Urdhva Ganapati

ऊर्ध्व गणपति

Golden, with the Shakti on his left knee, holding paddy, lotus, sugarcane bow, arrow, tusk and blue water-lily — the elevated Lord.

Ekakshara Ganapati

एकाक्षर गणपति

Red, three-eyed, seated in lotus-pose on the mouse, the single-syllable 'Gaṃ' embodied — bestower of the mantra's fruit.

Vara Ganapati

वर गणपति

Red, three-eyed, with the Shakti, holding noose, goad, honey-pot and the varada (boon) gesture — the boon-granting Lord.

Tryakshara Ganapati

त्र्यक्षर गणपति

Golden, large-eared, holding the broken tusk, mango, noose and goad — Lord of the three syllables 'A-U-Ṃ'.

Kshipra Prasada Ganapati

क्षिप्रप्रसाद गणपति

Red, seated on a kusha-grass throne with a broad belly, holding noose, goad, tusk, lotus, pomegranate and a sprig — swift to please.

Haridra Ganapati

हरिद्रा गणपति

Vivid turmeric-yellow in golden robes, holding noose, goad, tusk and a sweet — the auspicious, purifying form.

Ekadanta Ganapati

एकदन्त गणपति

Dark-complexioned, single-tusked, holding an axe, rosary, laddu and the broken tusk — knowledge that cuts through ignorance.

Srishti Ganapati

सृष्टि गणपति

Red, riding the mouse, holding noose, goad, tusk and a mango — the Lord of creation and manifestation.

Uddanda Ganapati

उद्दण्ड गणपति

Red, with the Devi, bearing pot of gems, blue lily, sugarcane, mace, lotus, paddy, pomegranate, noose, garland, tusk and goad — the enforcer of dharma.

Rinamochana Ganapati

ऋणमोचन गणपति

Crystal-white in red silk, holding noose, goad, tusk and a rose-apple — the liberator from debt and bondage.

Dhundhi Ganapati

ढुण्ढि गणपति

Red, holding a rosary, broken tusk, axe and a pot of gems — the sought-after Lord, guardian of Kashi.

Dvimukha Ganapati

द्विमुख गणपति

Blue-green, two-faced, in a red silk garment and jewelled crown, holding noose, goad, tusk and a pot of gems — all-seeing vision.

Trimukha Ganapati

त्रिमुख गणपति

Red, three-faced, seated on a golden lotus, with rosary, noose, nectar-pot, goad and abhaya/varada — the contemplative Lord.

Simha Ganapati

सिंह गणपति

White, lion-faced in one hand, holding veena, lotus, flower-bouquet, kalpavriksha sprig, pot of gems and abhaya — fearless splendour.

Yoga Ganapati

योग गणपति

Dawn-golden, absorbed in yoga with a meditation band at his knees, holding a yoga-staff, sugarcane, noose and rosary — the master of union.

Durga Ganapati

दुर्गा गणपति

Brilliant gold in red robes, bearing bow, arrow, noose, goad, tusk, rosary, rose-apple and a flag — the invincible protector.

Sankatahara Ganapati

संकटहर गणपति

Sun-hued in blue silk, seated on a red lotus with the Devi, holding goad, noose, a bowl of payasa and the varada gesture — the remover of all sorrow.