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 sixth set of twelve (of the 108) names of Ganesha are given below:
Aum Siddhavedaaya Namah ॐ सिद्धवेदाय नमः
Salutations to the One who has assimilated the wisdom of the Vedas
Aum Karunaaya Namah ॐ करुणाय नमः
Salutations to the compassionate One
Aum Siddhaaya Namah ॐ सिद्धाय नमः
Salutations to the accomplished One
Aum Siddhivinaayakaaya Namah ॐ सिद्धिविनायकाय नमः
Salutations to the perfected One
Aum Bhagavate Namah ॐ भगवते नमः
Salutations to the lord almighty
Aum Avyagraaya Namah ॐ अव्यग्राय नमः
Salutations to the unruffled One
Aum Vikataaya Namah ॐ विकटाय नमः
Salutations to the One with the gigantic form
Aum Kapilaaya Namah ॐ कपिलाय नमः
Salutations to the tawny-colored One
Aum Dhundhiraajaaya Namah ॐ ढुंढिराजाय नमः
Salutations to the neutralizer of evil forces
Aum Ugraaya Namah ॐ उग्राय नमः
Salutations to the One imbued with active force
Aum Bheemodaraaaya Namah ॐ भीमोदराय नमः
Salutations to the One with
Aum Shubhaaya Namah ॐ शुभाय नमः ७२
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!