The Lord of new beginnings or the ‘Elephant headed God (Gajanan), Lord Ganesha is the most worshipped and popular Hindu deity. He is known to remove(harna) all the obstacles (vighna) therefore called ‘Vighnaharta’. Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati is the God of intellect and wisdom. He has the honour and powers of all the deities.
He is mostly worshipped by Hindus living across India and the other countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand and Indonesia. He is highly revered God and his idols and paintings are often given as gifts at various occasions for blessings.
As the lord of beginnings Ganesha is honoured before rites and auspicious ceremonies. Now there is a reason why Lord Ganesha is pratham pujya (first worshiper) and not any other deity. According to Hindu mythology once a competition was held among all the Gods to test the power of their respective vehicles (vahan) and the first person to complete the revolution of the universe will be called the first worshiper.
When everyone went ahead with their vehicles but Lord Ganesha got confused. He thought that the revolution of the whole universe is not possible with a small mouse so he showed his wisdom. He went around his parents Shiva- Parvati and completed the revolution. When the other gods came around, Lord Ganesha said that he considered his mother to be earth and his father to be sky and all the pilgrimages reside in them.
His reasoning was accepted and the gods were pleased and gave a boon to Ganesha that from today onwards, Ganesha will be worshiped first in every worship. This affection and devotion Lord Ganesha towards his mother and father is inspiring for the people even today.
Ganesha chaturthi is the birthday of Ganapati Bappa and is celebrated as Ganesha festival mainly in Maharashtra. The devotees welcome an idol of Ganesha into their houses usually for 10 days and its preparations begin months before. During this festival Ganapati Bappa is worshipped and offered modaks or laddus.
In Ganesh puja Lord Ganesha mantras are chanted and Lord Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali(108 names of ganesha in sanskrit) is also recited followed by Aarti. Lord Ganesha has innumerable attributes and is known by various different names. These names in sanskrit are collectively known as Ashtottara Shatanamavali of Lord Ganesha.
Devotees often recite it regularly. The most common 12 names of Ganesha are 1. Vakratunda (Aries), 2. Ekadanta (Taurus), 3. Krishna Pingaksha (Gemini), 4. Gajavaktra (Cancer), 5. Lambodara (Leo), 6. Vikata (Virgo), 7. Vighnaraja (Libra), 8. Dhoomravarna (Scorpio), 9. Balachandra (Sagittarius), 10. Vinayaka (Capricorn), 11. Ganapati (Aquarius), 12. Gajanana (Pisces).
Here is List of Ganesh Namavali – 108 Names of Ganesha
| Sr. | Sanskrit Name | Name Mantra | Meaning of Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | गजानन Gajanana | ॐ गजाननाय नमः। Om Gajananaya Namah | Elephant-faced Lord |
| 2 | गणाध्यक्ष Ganadhyaksha | ॐ गणाध्यक्षाय नमः। Om Ganadhyakshaya Namah। | Lord of All Ganas (Gods) |
| 3 | विघ्नराज Vighnaraja | ॐ विघ्नराजाय नमः। Om Vighnarajaya Namah। | Lord of All Hindrances |
| 4 | विनायक Vinayaka | ॐ विनायकाय नमः। Om Vinayakaya Namah। | Lord of All |
| 5 | द्वैमातुर Dvaimatura | ॐ द्वैमातुराय नमः। Om Dvaimaturaya Namah। | One who has two Mothers |
| 6 | द्विमुख Dwimukha | ॐ द्विमुखाय नमः। Om Dwimukhaya Namah। | Lord with two Heads |
| 7 | प्रमुख Pramukha | ॐ प्रमुखाय नमः। Om Pramukhaya Namah। | Supreme Head of the Universe |
| 8 | सुमुख Sumukha | ॐ सुमुखाय नमः। Om Sumukhaya Namah। | Auspicious Face |
| 9 | कृति Kriti | ॐ कृतिने नमः। Om Kritine Namah। | Lord of Music |
| 10 | सुप्रदीप Supradipa | ॐ सुप्रदीपाय नमः। Om Supradipaya Namah। | |
| 11 | सुखनिधी Sukhanidhi | ॐ सुखनिधये नमः। Om Sukhanidhaye Namah। | The God who gives happiness and money |
| 12 | सुराध्यक्ष Suradhyaksha | ॐ सुराध्यक्षाय नमः। Om Suradhyakshaya Namah। | Sovereign of the Gods |
| 13 | सुरारिघ्न Surarighna | ॐ सुरारिघ्नाय नमः। Om Surarighnaya Namah। | The Destroyer of the Enemies of Devas |
| 14 | महागणपति Mahaganapati | ॐ महागणपतये नमः। Om Mahaganapataye Namah। | Omnipotent and Supreme Lord |
| 15 | मान्या Manya | ॐ मान्याय नमः। Om Manyaya Namah। | |
| 16 | महाकाल Mahakala | ॐ महाकालाय नमः। Om Mahakalaya Namah। | The big Kal |
| 17 | महाबला Mahabala | ॐ महाबलाय नमः। Om Mahabalaya Namah। | Enormously Strong Lord |
| 18 | हेरम्ब Heramba | ॐ हेरम्बाय नमः। Om Herambaya Namah। | Mother's Beloved Son |
| 19 | लम्बजठर Lambajathara | ॐ लम्बजठरायै नमः। Om Lambajatharayai Namah। | Big Bellied |
| 20 | ह्रस्वग्रीव Haswagriva | ॐ ह्रस्व ग्रीवाय नमः। Om Haswa Grivaya Namah। | |
| 21 | महोदरा Mahodara | ॐ महोदराय नमः। Om Mahodaraya Namah। | Having Large Abdomen |
| 22 | मदोत्कट Madotkata | ॐ मदोत्कटाय नमः। Om Madotkataya Namah। | |
| 23 | महावीर Mahavira | ॐ महावीराय नमः। Om Mahaviraya Namah। | |
| 24 | मन्त्रिणे Mantrine | ॐ मन्त्रिणे नमः। Om Mantrine Namah। | |
| 25 | मङ्गल स्वरा Mangala Swara | ॐ मङ्गल स्वराय नमः। Om Mangala Swaraya Namah। | Nice Swar |
| 26 | प्रमधा Pramadha | ॐ प्रमधाय नमः। Om Pramadhaya Namah। | |
| 27 | प्रथम Prathama | ॐ प्रथमाय नमः। Om Prathamaya Namah। | First Among All |
| 28 | प्रज्ञा Prajna | ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः। Om Prathamaya Namah। | Knowledge |
| 29 | विघ्नकर्ता Vighnakarta | ॐ विघ्नकर्त्रे नमः। Om Vighnakartre Namah। | Creator of Obstacles |
| 30 | विघ्नहर्ता Vishwanetra | ॐ विघ्नहर्त्रे नमः। Om Vignahartre Namah। | Demolisher of Obstacles |
| 31 | विश्वनेत्र Vishwanetra | ॐ विश्वनेत्रे नमः। Om Vishwanetre Namah। | Eye of the Universe |
| 32 | विराट्पति Viratpati | ॐ विराट्पतये नमः। Om Viratpataye Namah। | A big God |
| 33 | श्रीपति Shripati | ॐ श्रीपतये नमः। Om Shripataye Namah। | The Lord of Fortune |
| 34 | वाक्पति Vakpati | ॐ वाक्पतये नमः। Om Vakpataye Namah। | The Lord of Speech |
| 35 | शृङ्गारिण Shringarin | ॐ शृङ्गारिणे नमः। Om Shringarine Namah। | |
| 36 | अश्रितवत्सल Ashritavatsala | ॐ अश्रितवत्सलाय नमः। Om Ashritavatsalaya Namah। | |
| 37 | शिवप्रिय Shivapriya | ॐ शिवप्रियाय नमः। Om Shivapriyaya Namah। | The favorate of Lord Shiv |
| 38 | शीघ्रकारिण Shighrakarina | ॐ शीघ्रकारिणे नमः। Om Shighrakarine Namah। | |
| 39 | शाश्वत Shashwata | ॐ शाश्वताय नमः। Om Shashwataya Namah। | Adoration to the Unchanging One |
| 40 | बल Bala | ॐ बल नमः। Om Bala Namah। | |
| 41 | बलोत्थिताय Balotthitaya | ॐ बलोत्थिताय नमः। Om Balotthitaya Namah। | |
| 42 | भवात्मजाय Bhavatmajaya | ॐ भवात्मजाय नमः। Om Bhavatmajaya Namah। | |
| 43 | पुराण पुरुष Purana Purusha | ॐ पुराण पुरुषाय नमः। Om Purana Purushaya Namah। | The Omnipotent Personality |
| 44 | पूष्णे Pushne | ॐ पूष्णे नमः। Om Pushne Namah। | |
| 45 | पुष्करोत्षिप्त वारिणे Pushkarotshipta Varine | ॐ पुष्करोत्षिप्त वारिणे नमः। Om Pushkarotshipta Varine Namah। | |
| 46 | अग्रगण्याय Agraganyaya | ॐ अग्रगण्याय नमः। Om Agraganyaya Namah। | The God ahead of all |
| 47 | अग्रपूज्याय Agrapujyaya | ॐ अग्रपूज्याय नमः। Om Agrapujyaya Namah। | |
| 48 | अग्रगामिने Agragamine | ॐ अग्रगामिने नमः। Om Agragamine Namah। | |
| 49 | मन्त्रकृते Mantrakrite | ॐ मन्त्रकृते नमः। Om Mantrakrite Namah। | |
| 50 | चामीकरप्रभाय Chamikaraprabhaya | ॐ चामीकरप्रभाय नमः। Om Chamikaraprabhaya Namah। | |
| 51 | सर्वाय Sarvaya | ॐ सर्वाय नमः। Om Sarvaya Namah। | Everybodys God |
| 52 | सर्वोपास्याय Sarvopasyaya | ॐ सर्वोपास्याय नमः। Om Sarvopasyaya Namah। | |
| 53 | सर्व कर्त्रे Sarvakartre | ॐ सर्व कर्त्रे नमः। Om Sarva Kartre Namah। | |
| 54 | सर्वनेत्रे Sarvanetre | ॐ सर्वनेत्रे नमः। Om Sarvanetre Namah। | Eyes of All |
| 55 | सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय Sarvasiddhipradaya | ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय नमः। Om Sarvasiddhipradaya Namah। | |
| 56 | सिद्धये Siddhaye | ॐ सिद्धये नमः। Om Siddhaye Namah। | |
| 57 | पञ्चहस्ताय Panchahastaya | ॐ पञ्चहस्ताय नमः। Om Panchahastaya Namah। | |
| 58 | पार्वतीनन्दनाय Parvatinadanaya | ॐ पार्वतीनन्दनाय नमः। Om Parvatinandanaya Namah। | Son of Parvati |
| 59 | प्रभवे Prabhave | ॐ प्रभवे नमः। Om Prabhave Namah। | |
| 60 | कुमारगुरवे Kumaragurave | ॐ कुमारगुरवे नमः। Om Kumaragurave Namah। | |
| 61 | अक्षोभ्याय Akshobhyaya | ॐ अक्षोभ्याय नमः। Om Akshobhyaya Namah। | |
| 62 | कुञ्जरासुर भञ्जनाय Kunjarasura Bhanjanaya | ॐ कुञ्जरासुर भञ्जनाय नमः। Om Kunjarasura Bhanjanaya Namah। | |
| 63 | प्रमोदाय Pramodaya | ॐ प्रमोदाय नमः। Om Pramodaya Namah। | Happiness |
| 64 | मोदकप्रियाय Modakapriyaya | ॐ मोदकप्रियाय नमः। Om Modakapriyaya Namah। | The God who loves Modak |
| 65 | कान्तिमते Kantimate | ॐ कान्तिमते नमः। Om Kantimate Namah। | |
| 66 | धृतिमते Dhritimate | ॐ धृतिमते नमः। Om Dhritimate Namah। | |
| 67 | कामिने Kamine | ॐ कामिने नमः। Om Kamine Namah। | |
| 68 | कपित्थपनसप्रियाय Kapitthapanasapriyaya | ॐ कपित्थपनसप्रियाय नमः। Om Kapitthapanasapriyaya Namah। | |
| 69 | ब्रह्मचारिणे Brahmacharine | ॐ ब्रह्मचारिणे नमः। Om Brahmacharine Namah। | |
| 70 | ब्रह्मरूपिणे Brahmarupine | ॐ ब्रह्मरूपिणे नमः। Om Brahmarupine Namah। | |
| 71 | ब्रह्मविद्यादि दानभुवे Brahmavidyadi Danabhuve | ॐ ब्रह्मविद्यादि दानभुवे नमः। Om Brahmavidyadi Danabhuve Namah। | |
| 72 | जिष्णवे Jishnave | ॐ जिष्णवे नमः। Om Jishnave Namah। | |
| 73 | विष्णुप्रियाय Vishnupriyaya | ॐ विष्णुप्रियाय नमः। Om Vishnupriyaya Namah। | |
| 74 | भक्त जीविताय Bhakta Jivitaya | ॐ भक्त जीविताय नमः। Om Bhakta Jivitaya Namah। | |
| 75 | जितमन्मधाय Jitamanmadhaya | ॐ जितमन्मधाय नमः। Om Jitamanmadhaya Namah। | |
| 76 | ऐश्वर्यकारणाय Aishwaryakaranaya | ॐ ऐश्वर्यकारणाय नमः। Om Aishwaryakaranaya Namah। | |
| 77 | ज्यायसे Jyayase | ॐ ज्यायसे नमः। Om Jyayase Namah। | |
| 78 | यक्षकिन्नेर सेविताय Yaksha Kinnerasevitaya | ॐ यक्षकिन्नेर सेविताय नमः। Om Yaksha Kinnerasevitaya Namah। | |
| 79 | गङ्गा सुताय Ganga Sutaya | ॐ गङ्गा सुताय नमः। Om Ganga Sutaya Namah। | |
| 80 | गणाधीशाय Ganadhishaya | ॐ गणाधीशाय नमः। Om Ganadhishaya Namah। | |
| 81 | गम्भीर निनदाय Gambhira Ninadaya | ॐ गम्भीर निनदाय नमः। Om Gambhira Ninadaya Namah। | |
| 82 | वटवे Vatave | ॐ वटवे नमः। Om Vatave Namah। | |
| 83 | अभीष्टवरदाय Abhishtavaradaya | ॐ अभीष्टवरदाय नमः। Om Abhishtavaradaya Namah। | |
| 84 | ज्योतिषे Jyotishe | ॐ ज्योतिषे नमः। Om Jyotishe Namah। | |
| 85 | भक्तनिधये Bhktanidhaye | ॐ भक्तनिधये नमः। Om Bhktanidhaye Namah। | |
| 86 | भावगम्याय Bhavagamyaya | ॐ भावगम्याय नमः। Om Bhavagamyaya Namah। | |
| 87 | मङ्गलप्रदाय Mangalapradaya | ॐ मङ्गलप्रदाय नमः। Om Mangalapradaya Namah। | |
| 88 | अव्यक्ताय Avyaktaya | ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः। Om Avyaktaya Namah। | |
| 89 | अप्राकृत पराक्रमाय Aprakrita Parakramaya | ॐ अप्राकृत पराक्रमाय नमः। Om Aprakrita Parakramaya Namah। | |
| 90 | सत्यधर्मिणे Satyadharmine | ॐ सत्यधर्मिणे नमः। Om Satyadharmine Namah। | |
| 91 | सखये Sakhaye | ॐ सखये नमः। Om Sakhaye Namah। | |
| 92 | सरसाम्बुनिधये Sarasambunidhaye | ॐ सरसाम्बुनिधये नमः। Om Sarasambunidhaye Namah। | |
| 93 | महेशाय Maheshaya | ॐ महेशाय नमः। Om Maheshaya Namah। | |
| 94 | दिव्याङ्गाय Divyangaya | ॐ दिव्याङ्गाय नमः। Om Divyangaya Namah। | |
| 95 | मणिकिङ्किणी मेखालाय Manikinkini Mekhalaya | ॐ मणिकिङ्किणी मेखालाय नमः। Om Manikinkini Mekhalaya Namah। | |
| 96 | समस्त देवता मूर्तये Samasta Devata Murtaye | ॐ समस्त देवता मूर्तये नमः। Om Samasta Devata Murtaye Namah। | |
| 97 | सहिष्णवे Sahishnave | ॐ सहिष्णवे नमः। Om Sahishnave Namah। | |
| 98 | सततोत्थिताय Satatotthitaya | ॐ सततोत्थिताय नमः। Om Satatotthitaya Namah। | |
| 99 | विघातकारिणे Vighatakarine | ॐ विघातकारिणे नमः। Om Vighatakarine Namah। | |
| 100 | विश्वग्दृशे Vishwagdrishe | ॐ विश्वग्दृशे नमः। Om Vishwagdrishe Namah। | |
| 101 | विश्वरक्षाकृते Vishwarakshakrite | ॐ विश्वरक्षाकृते नमः। Om Vishwarakshakrite Namah। | |
| 102 | कल्याणगुरवे Kalyanagurave | ॐ कल्याणगुरवे नमः। Om Kalyanagurave Namah। | |
| 103 | उन्मत्तवेषाय Unmattaveshaya | ॐ उन्मत्तवेषाय नमः। Om Unmattaveshaya Namah। | |
| 104 | अपराजिते Aparajite | ॐ अपराजिते नमः। Om Aparajite Namah। | |
| 105 | समस्त जगदाधाराय Samsta Jagadadharaya | ॐ समस्त जगदाधाराय नमः। Om Samsta Jagadadharaya Namah। | |
| 106 | सर्वैश्वर्यप्रदाय Sarwaishwaryapradaya | ॐ सर्वैश्वर्यप्रदाय नमः। Om Sarwaishwaryapradaya Namah। | |
| 107 | आक्रान्त चिद चित्प्रभवे Akranta Chida Chitprabhave | ॐ आक्रान्त चिद चित्प्रभवे नमः। Om Akranta Chida Chitprabhave Namah। | |
| 108 | श्री विघ्नेश्वराय Shri Vighneshwaraya | ॐ श्री विघ्नेश्वराय नमः। Om Shri Vighneshwaraya Namah। |