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 eighth set of twelve (of the 108) names of Ganesha are given below:
Aum Naagayagyopaveetine Namah ॐ नागयग्योपवीतिने नमः
Salutations to the One who wears the snake as the sacred thread
Aum Durdhashaarya Namah ॐ दु्र्धर्षाय नमः
Salutations to the indomitable One
Aum Baaladoorvaankurapriyaaya Namah ॐ बालदूर्वांकुरप्रियाय नमः
Salutations to the One who is fond of the tender shoots of the durvaa grass
Aum Bhaalachandraaya Namah ॐ भालचंद्राय नमः
Salutations to the One who wears the moon on his forehead
Aum Vishvadhaatre Namah ॐ विश्वधात्रे नमः
Salutations to the One who nurtures the universe
Aum Shivaputraaya Namah ॐ शिवपुत्राय नमः
Salutations to the son of Shiva
Aum Vinaayakaaya Namah ॐ विनायकाय नमः
Salutations to the great leader
Aum Leelasevitaaya Namah ॐ लीलासेविताय नमः
Salutations to the One who is worshipped by the play of cosmic energies
Aum Poornaaya Namah ॐ पूर्णाय नमः
Salutations to the complete One
Aum Paramsundaraaya Namah ॐ परमसुंदराय नमः
Salutations to the most beautiful One
Aum Vighnaandhakaaraaya Namah ॐ विघ्नांधकाराय नमः
Salutations to the One who is like darkness to all obstacles
Aum Sindoorvaradaaya Namah ॐ सिंदूरवरदाय नमः ९६
Salutations to the bestower of prosperity and happiness
Happy Ganesha festival celebration 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..