The varied forms of Shri Ganesh

The prime Almighty Shri Ganesh has thirty two forms each of the avatar having a special significance of its own. These forms were first mentioned in the Mudgala Puran, a Puran specially containing all the rituals for the worship of Shri Ganesh.

ImageSource

1. Bala Ganapati – He is the Rising Sun, and is the most radiant form among all.
2. Taruna Ganapati – Ganapati here is seen as an icon of youthfulness
3. Bhakti Ganapati – Shining in white colour, Ganapati is the embodiment of devotion.
4. Vira Ganapati – The valiant Ganapati here is the icon of valour and courage.
5. Shakti Ganapati – Ganapati here is the giver of and is worshipped as the image of Shakti. 6.
7.
8. Ucchistha Ganapati – Ganapati here is the one who elevates all from the materialistic to the divine level.
9. Vighna Ganapati – Shri Ganesh is the remover of all obstacles and darkness in this form.
10. Kshipra Ganapati – In this form, Ganapati is seen as the giver of wealth.
11. Heramba Ganapati – He is the five headed Ganapati riding a lion and one of the most popular forms of the thirty two forms.
12. Sri Ganapati – Here, Ganapati is escorted with his two wives, Siddhi (success) and Buddhi (intelligence).
13. Maha Ganapati – Ganapati here is worshipped along with Shakti and is worshipped widely in this form.
14. Vijaya Ganapati – Here, Ganapati is seen riding a rat, which struts with confidence that its master is going to bestow all success and victory,
15. Nritya Ganapati – Dancing under the Kalpavirshka, Nritya Ganapati is worshipped for the fulfilment of desires and wishes.
16. Urdhva Ganapati – Holding the blue lily in his hands, he is the symbol of knowledge in this avatar.
17. Ekakshara Ganapati – He is identified with the single (eka) syllable “Gam”, and chanted as
Gam Gam Ganapataye Namah
18. Vara Ganapati – Ganapati is seen as the giver of all wishes.
19. Trayakashara Ganapati – Ganapati is worshipped as the soul of the three letters, A, U, M signifying all life starts with him.
20. Kshripra Prasada Ganapati – Ganapati is the quick giver of boons with benevolence and compassion.
21. Haridra Ganapati – Shri Ganesh is worshipped in yellow colour depicting purity.
22. Ekadanta Ganapati – Ganapati is worshipped as the single tusked elephant God
23. Shristhi Ganapati – Shri Ganesh is the form of the creator from whom all life emerged.
24. Uddanda Ganapati – He is the one who cannot be bound by any chains of materialistic world.
25. Rinamochana Ganapati – Ganapati is worshipped for relief from debts and other financial problems
26. Dundhi Ganapati – Ganapati is the one who is much sought for as the prime almighty. .
27. Dwimukha Ganapati – Ganapati here is worshipped as the the two headed elephant god.
28. Trimukha Ganapati – The three headed elephant God is worshipped to overcome fear

29. Simha Ganapati – Ganapati here blesses all with good health and cures diseases
30. Yoga Ganapati – Ganapati is the one who teaches the world attachment of God and detachment of the worldly desires
31. Durga Ganapati – Ganapati is seen as a form of goddess Durga in this avatar.
32. Sankatharan Ganapati – Ganapati is worshipped as the remover of obstacles, darkness and ignorance of the minds and heart.

Worship of these thirty two forms brings in prosperity, health, happiness and success and brings positivity into our homes and life.