Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day after the new moon in the waxing portion of the lunar fortnight of Bhaadrapada (usually in late August or early September).
One way to celebrate the festival is to meditate upon the 108 names of Lord Ganesha. Each of the 108 names evokes a specific quality, power or blessing that Ganesha showers upon us. Each recitation of the 108 names can begin with the seed mantra which is formulated around the word gam – the bijakshara for Ganesha.
Aum gam ganpataye Namah ॐ गम गण्पताय नमः
The fifth set of twelve (of the 108) names of Ganesha are given below:
Aum Mahaavarjitaaya Namah ॐ मोहवर्जिताय नमः
Salutations to the One devoid of illusions
Aum Vakratundaaya Namah ॐ वक्रतु्न्डाय नमः
Salutations to the One with the curved trunk
Aum Shoorpakarnaaya Namah ॐ शूर्पकर्णाय नमः
Salutations to the One with ears like a winnowing basket
Aum Paramaaya Namah ॐ परमाय नमः
Salutations to the Absolute
Aum Yogeeshaaya Namah ॐ योगीशाय नमः
Salutations to the One able to unify all levels of energy
Aum Yogashaamney Namah ॐ योगधाम्ने नमः
Salutations to the light of the glory of the universe
Aum Umasutaaya Namah ॐ उमासुताय नमः
Salutations to the son of Uma
Aum Aapaddhantrey Namah ॐ अापद्धंत्रे नमः
Salutations to the neutralizer of camalities
Aum Ekadanttaya Namah ॐ एकदंताय नमः
Salutations to the One with the single tusk
Aum Mahaagreevaaya Namah ॐ महाग्रीवाय नमः
Salutations to the large-throated One
Aum Sharanyaaya Namah ॐ शरण्याय नमः
Salutations to the one who gives refuge
Aum Siddhasenaaya Namah ॐ सिद्धसेनाय नमः ६०
Salutations to the One leading the army of divine beings
Happy Ganesha Chaturthi to all of you – may Lord Ganesha’s blessings always be with you! Please share Ganesha’s blessings with your friends and family!
vakratunda mahaakaaya / suryakoti samaprabhaa. / nirvighnam kurumedeva / sarvakaaryeshu sarvadaa..