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Ganesh Puja Vidhi

Ganesha is traditionally invoked first in many observances. The steps below describe a common household form; regional and family practices vary.

6 min

Deity: Ganesha
Tradition: Puranic
Occasion: Daily practice
Source: Nitya Karm Pooja Prakash (Gita Press, Gorakhpur); shodashopachara vidhi.

सामग्री

Required materials

Ganesha murti or image (clay/metal)
Chowki with a clean red/yellow cloth
Kalash with water and a coin
Roli / kumkum, haldi and akshata (unbroken rice)
Chandan (sandal paste)
Durva grass (21 blades, in bunches of 3)
Red flowers and a garland (hibiscus is dear to Ganesha)
Modak or laddu and seasonal fruit for naivedya
Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
Dhoop / agarbatti and a ghee lamp (diya)
Camphor (kapoor) for aarti
Betel leaf and nut (tambula), dakshina
Clean water in a small vessel with a spoon (achamani)

पूर्व तैयारी

Preparation

Bathe and wear clean clothes. Clean the space and set up the murti facing a suitable direction as per family custom.

संकल्प

Sankalpa

संकल्प: A brief statement of intent (time, place and purpose) as per family tradition.

Recite the sankalpa holding water, flowers and rice in the right palm; then release the water.

पूजा विधि

Step-by-step procedure

1
Achamana & Pavitrikaran (आचमन)
Sip water thrice for inner purity, then sprinkle water on yourself and the puja articles with a durva blade.
2
Sankalpa (संकल्प)
Holding water, akshata and a flower, state your name, gotra, place and the day's tithi, and the intent of the puja; release the water.
3
Kalash & Ganapati Sthapana (स्थापना)
Establish the kalash and invite Ganesha into the murti with folded hands and the moola mantra.
4
Aavahan (आवाहन)
Invoke Ganesha: 'ॐ गं गणपतये नमः, आवाहयामि' — request him to be present.
5
Asana, Padya, Arghya (आसन, पाद्य, अर्घ्य)
Offer a seat, then water to wash the feet and hands respectfully.
6
Snana & Panchamrit (स्नान)
Bathe the murti symbolically with water and panchamrit, then pure water; wipe clean.
7
Vastra & Yajnopavita (वस्त्र)
Offer a token cloth/mauli and the sacred thread.
8
Chandan, Roli & Akshata (चन्दन-अक्षत)
Apply chandan and roli tilak and offer unbroken rice.
9
Durva & Pushpa (दूर्वा-पुष्प)
Offer 21 durva blades and red flowers, reciting 'ॐ गं गणपतये नमः' with each.
10
Dhoop & Deep (धूप-दीप)
Offer incense and show the lamp, circling gently before the deity.
11
Naivedya & Tambula (नैवेद्य)
Offer modak/laddu, fruit and water, then betel leaf-nut and dakshina.
12
Aarti & Pradakshina (आरती-प्रदक्षिणा)
Perform camphor aarti, self-circumambulate, and offer pushpanjali.
13
Kshama-prarthana (क्षमा-प्रार्थना)
Seek forgiveness for any lapse, pray for removal of obstacles, and distribute prasada.

मंत्र

Mantras

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

oṃ gaṃ gaṇapataye namaḥ

The moola (root) mantra of Ganapati — used for invocation and each offering.

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha · nirvighnaṃ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā

O curved-trunked, mighty one, radiant as a million suns — make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥

oṃ ekadantāya vidmahe vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi · tanno dantiḥ pracodayāt

Ganesha Gayatri — may the single-tusked, curved-trunked one inspire our understanding.

उपचार

Offerings (Upachara)

ॐ गन्धं समर्पयामि।

oṃ gandhaṃ samarpayāmi

I offer sandal paste (gandha).

ॐ पुष्पं समर्पयामि।

oṃ puṣpaṃ samarpayāmi

I offer flowers (pushpa).

ॐ धूपमाघ्रापयामि।

oṃ dhūpam āghrāpayāmi

I offer incense (dhupa).

ॐ दीपं दर्शयामि।

oṃ dīpaṃ darśayāmi

I show the lamp (deepa).

ॐ नैवेद्यं निवेदयामि।

oṃ naivedyaṃ nivedayāmi

I offer the food (naivedya).

Standard panchopachara — offer each item while reciting the corresponding mantra.

समापन

Conclusion

Conclude with a prayer seeking removal of obstacles and distribute prasada.

Sources & References

Source / TraditionNitya Karm Pooja Prakash (Gita Press, Gorakhpur); shodashopachara vidhi.

Regional TraditionOfferings and sequence vary across regions and families.

Editorial NotePresented as a common shodashopachara (sixteen-offering) household practice. Regional and family customs vary — follow your kula-parampara where it differs.

Dharmartha presents traditional knowledge with respect for its sources. Practices vary by lineage and region; this material does not assert exclusive or universal authority.

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