Original text
जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ एक दंत दयावंत, चार भुजा धारी। माथे सिंदूर सोहे, मूसे की सवारी॥ जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ पान चढ़े फल चढ़े, और चढ़े मेवा। लड्डुअन का भोग लगे, संत करें सेवा॥ जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ अंधन को आंख देत, कोढ़िन को काया। बांझन को पुत्र देत, निर्धन को माया॥ जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ 'सूर' श्याम शरण आए, सफल कीजे सेवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥ दीनन की लाज रखो, शंभु सुतकारी। कामना को पूर्ण करो, जाऊं बलिहारी॥ जय गणेश जय गणेश, जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती, पिता महादेवा॥
Transliteration
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva. Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva. Ek Dant Dayavant, Char Bhuja Dhari. Mathe Sindoor Sohe, Moose Ki Savari. (Refrain) Paan Chadhe Phal Chadhe, Aur Chadhe Meva. Laddun Ka Bhog Lage, Sant Karein Seva. (Refrain) Andhan Ko Aankh Det, Kodhin Ko Kaya. Baanjhan Ko Putra Det, Nirdhan Ko Maya. (Refrain) 'Soor' Shyam Sharan Aaye, Saphal Kije Seva. Mata Jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva. (Refrain) Deenan Ki Laaj Rakho, Shambhu Sutakari. Kamna Ko Poorn Karo, Jaun Balihari. (Refrain)
A song every generation knows
"Jai Ganesh Deva" is almost certainly the first aarti most people in India learn as children, and it's the one sung at the opening of pujas across sects that otherwise have little else in common. It honours Ganesha as the son of Shiva and Parvati, describes his single tusk and four arms, his fondness for offerings of paan, fruit, dry fruit and modak sweets, and calls on him in his most familiar role — the remover of obstacles, invoked before any new beginning.
What the verses ask for
Beyond straightforward praise, the later verses list Ganesha's specific compassion: sight for the blind, a body restored for the leprous, children for the childless, and prosperity for the poor — presenting him as accessible to exactly the people with the fewest other options. The final verse, addressed to "Shambhu Sutakari" (son of Shambhu, i.e. Shiva), asks him to protect the dignity of the humble and fulfil the singer's wishes.
How the aarti is performed
An aarti isn't just sung; it's paired with the act of aarti itself — circling a lit diya (or a small flame in a plate) in front of the deity's image or statue, usually clockwise, while the song is sung, with the refrain "Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh" repeated after every verse. After the song ends, the plate is often passed around so everyone present can pass their hands over the flame and touch their forehead, sharing in the light that's been offered.
When it's sung
Because Ganesha is invoked at the start of ventures, this aarti opens most household pujas regardless of which deity the puja is mainly for, and it's central to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, when families and communities install Ganesha idols for several days of worship before immersion (visarjan).