The first to be worshipped
Ganesha is Pratham Pujya: every puja, for any deity, begins with him, because he is Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. His own worship is warm and simple, built around three things he loves: durva grass, modak and red flowers.
When to do it
- Wednesday, his day. See Wednesday Ganesh Bhakti.
- Sankashti Chaturthi (the fourth day of the waning moon): a fast broken after seeing the moon and offering it water.
- Vinayaka Chaturthi (the fourth day of the waxing moon), and above all Ganesh Chaturthi in Bhadrapada.
- Before any new beginning: a business, a journey, an exam, a house-warming.
What you will need
- A Ganesh murti or picture
- Durva grass: 21 blades, tied in small bunches
- Red flowers (hibiscus is a favourite), a garland, and a few shami leaves if available
- Sindoor or red chandan, akshat, roli
- A ghee lamp, incense, camphor
- Modak or motichoor laddoo for naivedya, and a banana
Step by step
- Prepare. Bathe, wear clean clothes, and sit facing east or north.
- Sankalpa. With water, akshat and a flower in your right hand, state your name and your wish, then let the water fall.
- Invite. Sprinkle a little water on the murti and invite Ganesha to be present.
- Tilak. Apply sindoor or red chandan, and offer akshat.
- Durva. Offer the durva bunches, one at a time, saying Om Gam Ganapataye Namah with each.
- Flowers. Offer red flowers, the garland and shami leaves.
- Lamp and incense. Light the lamp and show incense.
- Bhog. Offer modak or laddoo and the banana.
- Mantra. Recite Vakratunda Mahakaya, and chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah or the Ganesh Gayatri Mantra 108 times.
- Path. Read the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra or the Ganesh Chalisa.
- Aarti. Sing Jai Ganesh Deva, or in Maharashtrian style Sukhkarta Dukhharta.
- Close. Ask forgiveness, bow, and share the modak as prasad.
Things to keep in mind
- No tulsi for Ganesha. A Puranic story says he declined Tulsi's proposal of marriage, and tulsi is not offered to him in ordinary worship.
- Don't look at the moon on the night of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (Ganesh Chaturthi). The moon was cursed for mocking Ganesha, and seeing it that night is said to bring false accusation.
- On Sankashti, the fast is broken only after moonrise, with arghya to the moon.
Frequently asked questions
How many durva blades are offered to Ganesha?
Twenty-one is traditional, usually in bunches of three or five. Even a single fresh blade offered with devotion is accepted.
Why is Ganesha worshipped first?
He is the remover of obstacles and the lord of beginnings, so every puja and every undertaking starts with him, as Shiva himself is said to have decreed.
What is Ganesha's favourite bhog?
Modak above all, then motichoor or besan laddoo, banana and jaggery.
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