Ganesh Puja
A beginner-friendly ritual to invoke Lord Ganesha's blessings before new beginnings
Best For
What You'll Need
Essential Items
- •Image or idol of Lord Ganesha
- •Fresh flowers
- •Sweet offering (modak or any sweet)
- •Oil lamp or candle
- •Incense
- •Water in a small bowl
Optional Items
- •Mala (prayer beads)
- •Bell
- •Red cloth for the altar
- •Turmeric and kumkum (red powder)
- •Fruits
- •Coconut
Step-by-Step Guide
Preparation and Setup
5 minutesClean the puja space and arrange all items. Place Ganesha's image or idol in the center.
Meaning: Creating a sacred, pure space invites divine presence
Materials needed:
Dhyana (Invocation)
2 minutesSit comfortably, close your eyes, and visualize Lord Ganesha. Chant 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha' three times.
Meaning: Calling upon Ganesha's presence with focused intention
Offering Water (Achamana)
1 minuteOffer water to Ganesha by placing a small amount near the idol or image.
Meaning: Symbolizes purification and the flow of divine grace
Materials needed:
Offering Flowers
2 minutesOffer fresh flowers at Ganesha's feet, one at a time, with devotion.
Meaning: Flowers represent beauty, impermanence, and devotion
Materials needed:
Offering Modak or Sweets
1 minutePlace modak (sweet dumplings) or any sweet offering before Ganesha.
Meaning: Modak is Ganesha's favorite food, symbolizing the sweetness of wisdom
Materials needed:
Lighting the Lamp (Deepa)
2 minutesLight a lamp or candle and wave it gently in a circular motion before Ganesha.
Meaning: Light dispels darkness, symbolizing the removal of ignorance
Materials needed:
Chanting Mantras
5-10 minutesChant 'Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha' 108 times (or 11, 21, 54 times). You can use a mala for counting.
Meaning: Repetition of the mantra strengthens focus and devotion
Materials needed:
Prayer and Intention
2-3 minutesSpeak your prayers and intentions to Ganesha. Ask for blessings in your endeavors.
Meaning: Personal connection with the divine through heartfelt communication
Aarti and Conclusion
3-5 minutesSing or play Ganesha's aarti. Ring a bell, then bow with folded hands. Accept the prasad (blessed offering).
Meaning: Aarti is a devotional song of praise; prasad carries divine blessings
Materials needed:
Sacred Mantras
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
I bow to Lord Ganesha
Meaning: This is the most common Ganesha mantra, invoking his blessings for removing obstacles
When to use: Throughout the puja, especially during dhyana and mantra chanting
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada
O Lord with a curved trunk, large body, and brilliance of a million suns, please remove obstacles from all my endeavors always
Meaning: A prayer for removing all obstacles from one's life
When to use: At the beginning of the puja or before starting any new venture
Helpful Tips
- 💡Start early in the morning (between 6-8 AM) if possible, as this is considered an auspicious time
- 💡Face east or north while performing the puja for traditional alignment
- 💡Maintain a clean and quiet space; minimize distractions
- 💡If you're new to puja, don't worry about perfection - your sincere devotion is most important
- 💡You can perform this puja on Wednesdays (Ganesha's day) or before starting any new project
- 💡After the puja, share the prasad with family and friends to spread the blessings
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform Ganesh Puja at home without a priest?
Absolutely! Ganesh Puja is one of the most accessible rituals and can be performed by anyone with sincere devotion. The key is your intention and devotion, not perfect execution.
What if I don't have all the items listed?
Start with what you have. At minimum, you need an image of Ganesha, a flower, and a sweet offering. You can gradually add more items as you become more comfortable with the practice.
How do I dispose of flowers and offerings after the puja?
Flowers and organic offerings should be placed in a garden or under a tree. If that's not possible, they can be respectfully immersed in flowing water. Never throw them in the trash.
Can I listen to recorded mantras instead of chanting myself?
While chanting yourself is more powerful, listening to recorded mantras with full attention and devotion is also beneficial, especially when you're learning the pronunciation.
Practice in the myPuja App
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