Ritika Handoo

It is that time of the year, when all the bappa bhakts (devotees) are eager to play host to the
Lord by inviting him to their homes. The freshness in the breeze and the picture perfect weather
strikes a perfect balance between mind, body and soul. In order to please the Ganapati, and make
him visit your abode year on year, we tell you how to perform the special Ganesh Chaturthi
puja (prayer). Sit down with folded hands and take a note of all that goes into invoking the divine
power with traditional rituals and customary practices.
We start the chaturthi puja by bringing the Ganapati idol home. The chaturthi is believed to be
the most auspicious day for getting the idol of our favourite lord home. However, when you set
out to bring one, do keep the following things ready: Aggarbatti & Dhoop (joss sticks/incense),
Aarti Thali (plate with lamps), Supari (areca/betel nuts), Paan leaf (betel leaf), a separate cloth
for covering the Ganesh idol, another piece of Cloth for Sandli (made of sandalwood, used for
carrying the lord), lastly Sandli.
Procedure
The Ganapati idol puja starts with lighting the aggarbatti-dhoop placed in an aarti thali. Then,
place the paan leaf with a supari resting on top of it on the floor in front of the sandli. Dont
forget to chant the golden mantra of Om Gan Ganpatiye Namah. If there is a pandit (priest)
performing the puja for you, then do place some dakshina(offering) for him and also for the
artisans, who beautifully create such murtis(idols). For people, who bring in the Ganesh idol
home before chaturthi, need to cover the face of the murti with a cloth, and take it off only on the

day Ganesh Chaturthi puja is performed during murti staphna (installment of idol). Now, once
you have your lord with you and are eager to step inside the premises of your home, dont forget
to ask one of the family members to bring a bowl of rice. Shower the rice (kacha(raw) rice) on
the murti before bringing it inside. Also, on chaturthi, before placing the Ganesh idol on his
sthaan (pedestal), put some kacha rice on it and rest a Supari, Haldi (turmeric), KumKum (red
coloured sacred powder), Abhil and Dakshina.
The main puja requirements
After placing the newly-bought Ganapati idol home and that too following the exact rituals
there are certain requirements necessary to be met with. For example, we need red flowers, druva
grass blades, modak (jaggery filled sweet), coconut, red chandan (sandalwood paste), incense
and aggarbattis.
Main puja procedure
The pious ritual of Ganesh Chaturthi puja starts with cleaning the entire house (and this is
followed before the Ganapti idol is brought home). The entire family sitting for the puja should
be ready after taking an early bath. It is better if you can invite a Pandit, qualified in performing
pujas. The clay idol of the lord, which you placed on a clean, raised platform, will now see the
mantras being chanted for invoking the God in it. The customary practice of Pran-Pratishtha
(infusing life in idol) is one of the primary steps in this puja. Therefore, a specialised pandit is
required to chant the holy mantras and invoke the lord in that murti.
The Pran-Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of
Ganesh Suktha. After the pran-pratishtha of the murti is done with, the next step that follows is
that aarti and lighting of the lamps and aggarbattis. If a pandit is performing this entire puja for
you, then you have the privilege of asking him to perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16
forms of paying tribute to Ganesh. Soon after this, offer 21 blades of druva grass, 21 modakas
(they say lambodra loves them) and some red flowers to Ganpati.
Then, put the red Sandalwood tilak (mark) on the forehead of the lords murti. Remember an old
saying that breaking a coconut is auspicious to ward off evil? Yes, you have to do the same here.
Try and break the coconut placed right in front of the Lords idol, however if you are unable to
do so, worry not, just place it there. Besides, dont forget to keep some fried grains for Ganpatis
carrierthe Mushaka (a mice which carries the lord on him). For your own good, try reciting the
108 salutations dedicated to Ganesh or read the Ganesh Upanishad. Also, while performing the
Puja at home, there is always an option of flexibility. The rituals, which require a certain
structure or many pandits for chanting of mantras need not be done by you. Simply follow these
steps and praythe rest Bappa will do. They sayeat, pray and love. The more you worship
with open mind and sanctimonious thoughtsthe more Ganapati will bestow you with wisdom,
health and prosperity.
Fold your hands and close your eyes, as the God is listening!
Also see: Know how to perform Ganpati havan at home

The following information will give you all the details on the vidhis and the procedures to
Performing Ganesh Staphma on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

We the Trustees of GaneshChaturthi.com strongly suggest that you go for Eco Friendly Ganesha
Idols.
Before you prepare to Perform the Ganesh Staphna, ensure that you have bought all the items
from the Ganesh Chaturthi Check List. Click here to find the Ganesh Chaturthi Check List or the
Pooja Samagri

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated
festivals in India. Large numbers of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Whereas
most people prefer to call pundits home on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi to perform the Ganehs

Staphna, majority of the people also prefer to perform the rituals by them-selves with sampoorna
bhavna and prem.
Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha pooja and Staphna at home as mentioned in
Hindu scriptures.

Ganesha pooja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed as per the Muhurat. Please see the
muhurat timings on the main page of this website by clicking here.
The pooja can be led by any one of the family members and others should join in. God worship
is enjoyed by everyone. Pooja means the traditional ceremony by which God is worshipped.
However, the devotion is the indispensable part of any pooja, by which, even simple gestures
and poojas are like sacred rituals.
Before entering the shrine room, all the attendees should take bath, dress in clean clothes and
bring a small offering of flowers or fruits. Generally fruits offered are bananas, mangos, sweet
limes, pomegranates and jackfruit.

Firstly, Prepare the kalash: take a kalash and fill it with clean drinking water, add to the water 1
supari, Rs. 1, 25 paise coins, haldi and kumkum, some attar (perfume oil), place 5 paan leaves,
and finally the coconut. Decorate the coconut and the paan leaves with haldi and kumkum.

Next, prepare the sthaan where Ganpati will sit. Do that by spreading a handful of kacha rice
grains on the place. Over the rice grains, place one supaari and put haldi and kumkum on the
supari. Over that place some dakshina. Reciting "Ganpati Bappa Moriya", we must place the
Ganpati Idol over this preparation.

The worship begins with the "Sthapana" (establishment) of the idol. Next step is to invoke
Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit
to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.
Then recite the following mantra:
ganananh tva ganapatim havamahe kavim kavinam - upamashravastamam |
jyeshhtharajam brahmanan.h brahmanaspata A nah shrivnvannutibhih sida sadanam ||
(Rig Veda 2.23.1)
ni shhu sida ganapate ganeshhu tvamahurvipratamam kavinam |
na rite tvat.h kriyate kinchanare mahamarkam maghavan.h chitramarcha || (Rig Veda 10.112.9)
We invoke You, O Ganapati of the ganas (Lord Shiva attendants), Who are Brahmana-spati of the
brahmas (prayers), the wisest among the wise, Who abound in treasure beyond all measure, the
most brilliant one. Do listen to our prayers, come with Your blessings and assurances of
protection into our home, and be seated. (Rig Veda 2.23.1)
Sit down among the worshippers, O Ganapati, the best sage among the sages. Without You
nothing can be done here or far. Accept with honor, O wealthy One, our great and variegated
hymns of praise. (Rig Veda 10.112.9)

Once the Idol has been stapith, you must spread 5 paan leaves

Over each of the paan leaf, keep 1 supari each, then put haldi and kumkum.

Having done that, place 1 akhrot, 1 badaam, and 1 khareek each on each paan leaf.

After that place the five different fruits, one over each paan leaf.

You are now ready for lifting the cover of Ganesh Ji. (If you bring Ganpati home one day prior,
we cover Him with decorative vastra). You can life the vastra now chanting Ganpati Bappa
Moriya!

After lifting the vastra, you must remove the black dhaaga. Clean the Murti with a dry paint
brush.

PLEASE NOTE: WASHING GOD'S HANDS AND LEGS IS SYMBOLIC. DO NOT

ACTUALLY DO THE SAME. SIMILARLY FOR ABHISHEKH WITH MILK, NECTAR,
CURD SHOULD NOT BE DONE ON THE MURTI (IDOL).

Offer Him the shringar in form of the Mukut, Mala/Maitri, Bracelets, Vastra For Murti. Put a
garland of fresh flowers over Ganpati Bappa.

Offer and put on His forehead, haldi, pinjar, abhil, gulal, ashtagandh and sindhoor. Also offer His
vahan, undhir mama, the Mouse.

Offer Ganpati Bappa and undhir mama (mouse), the prasad which is His favourite, the Modaks.
The recipe for the Modaks can be found here. These can be made at home or can also be bought
from out. For people residing out of India, you can find a very easy recipe on our website on the
link mentioned above.

Keep a red pooja dhaga next to Ganpati Bappa, this can later be tied on hands of all family

members after the First Aarti.

Once the 'Pranpratishtha' is done, then you need to light the lamp and incense sticks to please the
'God'.

After this you have to perform the ' Shhodashopachara ', which are 16 forms of paying tribute to
Shree Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests, you can skip this.)
Here you offer 21 Druva grass blades, 21 Modakas, and Flowers to Ganesha. You need to apply a
Tikka of red Sandalwood paste on the forehead of the Deity and keep the coconut along with the
idol.
Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
Offer 21 modaks
Offer red flowers
Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of
the rat - the vehicle of Ganesha).
The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs
(pranas), five elements, and the mind.
Using a Diya wick, make and light the Akhand Jyot (the diya), and the aarti thaali is to be lit

which can have the agarbattis, dhoop, (insense and fragrance) and camphor tablets to be lit
during Aarti

The Shahad and khadi shakar should be offered to Ganpati

One can also offer chandan now
Keep the prasad you have prepared in front of Ganesh Ji, sprinkle with ganga jal
You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the Ganesha
Upanishad or just simply pray.
You are ready for the Aarti! You can sing Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh and Sukh Karta Dukh Harta.

After the Aarti, the family members should gather in front of Ganesh Ji, keep a coconut next to
Him and say, "Dear Ganesh Ji, we welcome you to our home. In our offer of prayers, incase we
have committed any mistakes, knowingly or unknowingly, kindly forgive us. We pray on behalf
of all of us to make this Chaturthi a blessed one. Keep us all happy and healthy always". You are
welcome to add your prayers here. PLEASE NOTE: It is essential to ask for forgiveness at this
time while placing the coconut. On the day of the visarjan, this coconut should also be immersed
in the water.
You can also tape-record this entire Staphna for your memory with the Mini DV cassettes.
Thereafter, all of the family members bow down to Ganesha and ask for God's blessings to fulfill
all their desire.
While performing Ganesha Pooja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are
meant for Vedic priests. All you need to be careful is to perform the pujas with a clean body and
clean mind.
What is more important is devotion not the ritual.
Try to be simple. Concentrate on your prayers not on decoration and other ritualistic details.

Pooja Explanation
Hindu Rituals involve the Pancha/Five Upacharas/offerings. They are namely;

Gandham (Fragrance) in the form of white or red Sandalwood paste,

Dhupam (Lighting of Incense Sticks),
Deepam (Lighting of Oil or ghee Lamps)
Naivedyam (Sanctified Offerings of fruits, sweetmeats etc.) and Modak and Motichoor Ladoos
Pushpam (Pushpa-Flowers). The Hibiscus or the Shoe flower is a favorite of the Lord. Dhurva
Grass malas are also quite popular.

Coconut for Vinayaka Chaturthi

Before beginning any pooja, these materials should be kept handy. Take a bath, cleanse yourself
and then stand with folded hands in front of the deity and offer all the above. Wet whole coconut
(peeled off the exterior husk) but with a small stalk of husk on the top symbolizes the Bramhin or
purest offering to the Lord. Breaking of this coconut or the act of 'Chadur Thenga' means that we
smash our egos in front of the Lord and submit our soft white inner self at his feet.

What items are favorites of the Lord:

Modak for Ganesh Chaturthi-Vinayakar Chavithi
Modak: The Lord Ganesha has a special liking for the sweet dumplings- Modak/Kozhukattai
and Laddoo. Ganesha's mother Parvati made tasty modaks for Her son, hence he is especially
fond of them. Read HERE how to make home-made Modaks.
Durva: (Three blade grass, Trefoil) is also offered to Ganesh. There are many interesting facts
relating to why Durva is offered. Once Ganesha destroyed a demon called Analan , by
swallowing him. The demon went inside and burnt the 14 worlds situated inside Ganesha, thus
causing enormous heat. Ganesha searched for Durva Grass and wore it as a garland to nullify the
heat inside. Durva is a substance known to create heat and by the principles of two negatives
make things positive, the heat was quenched. Durva/Dhurva Grass is therefore used as a supreme
offering in Ganesha Puja. Make a dhurva garland by combining several dhurvas together and

tying them in a mala/garland for the Lord.

Shoe flower/Hibiscus: First of all, the red color of the flower is a personal favorite of the Lord
and then the Hibiscus-Shoe flower-Red in color is Ganesha s favorite
5 petals of the Hibiscus denotes the warding of negative energy and the welcome of the positive
energy into the Universe. On a more practical level, it is the seasonal flower of the Bhadrapad
month of the monsoons, hence our ancients have advocated this particular flower. Especially the
color red is highly auspicious.

What is the Angaaraka Ganesh Chathurthi?

The fourth thithi of each moon phase is known as Chathurthi. Chathur = four. 24 to 25
Chathurthis occur each year. When the Chathurthi thithi occurs on a Tuesday, it s known as
Angaaraka Chathurthi in recognition of Sri Angaaraka, the Vaara(weekly- Mars-ChevvaaiMangal) devata for Tuesday who performed special pooja for Lord Ganesh.
When praying to Lord Vignaharta, the following stuti should be sung.
Ganesha Stuti (Praises to the Lord Ganesha) Agajanana padmarkam gajananam aharnisham Anek
dantham bhaktanam yekadantham upasmaheth ||1|| Vakratunda mahakaya koti surya samarprabha
Nirvignam kurume deva sarvakareyeshu sarvada ||2|| Pranamya shirasa devam gouri puthram
vinayakam Bhakthavasam smarenithyam aayuhkaamartha sidhaye ||3|| Gajananam bhootha
ganadhi sevitham Kapitha jambo phala sara bhakshitam ||4|| Umasutham shokha vinashkaranam
Namami vigneshwara pada pankajam ||5||

Things Required For Ganesh Puja

Chawki and red cloth 1 nos.

Lord Ganesh idol or photo

Raw rice unbroken (Akshat)

Earthen lamp, ghee, a wick

Dhoop Stick

Flowers and flower garland

Roli

Sindoor

Scent

Sacred Thread

Grass leaves

Modak, Ladoo (Sweets)

Gangajal or Sacred water

Step-by-Step Ganesh Puja Vidhi

1. Put chawki on puja place, spread red cloth on it.

2. Place Lord Ganesh Idol (or photo) on chawki.
3. Light the earthen lamp to start puja
4. Light dhoop stick also
5. Pray to Lord Ganesha, O Lord Ganesh! Please come and receive puja, offerings.
6. Sprinkle sacred water on Lord Ganesh to offer bath.
7. Offer sacred thread as clothes.

8. Apply tilak of Roli on forehead.

9. Now Do Panchopchar puja :
i.

Show earthen lamp to Lord Ganesh

ii.

Then Show dhoopstick

iii.

Offer tilak of Sindoor on forehead. According to Shiva Puran, its very

auspicious to offer sindoor to Lord Ganesh. It may be offered as tilak. It may
also be offered as applying on whole body (also know as Chola ). You should
offer Chola when you worship Lord Ganesh on your main door. Also Put akshat
(raw unbroken rice) on tilak.

iv.

Offer Modak, ladoo to Lord Ganesh. Offer Gangajal or Sacred water to drink.
Also offer scent to him.

v.

Offer flower garland and flowers to him.