Ganapathi, revered as the lord of all assemblies, is worshipped in various manifestations. Imagine a deity so revered, so distinctive, that his very form evokes a sense of wonder and inspiration—the mighty Lord Ganesha (Ganapathi). He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesha is widely known as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the deity of intellect and wisdom. His influence is deeply respected not only in India but also across the world.
Among these, devotees revered the 32 forms of Vinayaka, considering them as the primary forms. These 32 forms are divided into the initial 16, known as 'Shodasha Ganapati,' and the subsequent 16, known as 'Eka Vimshati Ganapati’.
Let's explore each of these Ganapatis and their forms:
1. Bala Ganapathi
Bala Ganapathi represents one of the primary forms of Lord Ganesha. This form depicts a child with four divine arms holding a banana, sugarcane, mango, and jackfruit. It symbolizes the early phase of human life, characterized by innocence and unblemished thoughts. Bala Ganapati signifies that by refining one's thoughts, words, and actions, life can be enriched. Childhood is a time for absorbing and retaining knowledge; instilling good values during this phase ensures purity of thought prevails. Worshipping him ensures good health for the children.
2. Taruna Ganapathi
In depicting the eight deities, Taruna Ganapathi holds a flag, spear, bow, sugarcane, hook, flower, broken arrow, and club. This form represents human growth, specifically the youthful period, illuminating essential aspects of life. It symbolizes challenges and desires, emphasizing the significance of life. Worshipping him ensures the timely fulfilment of desires.
3. Bakthi Ganapathi
In this Bhakti Ganapathi form, he has four arms holding mango, banana, coconut, and sweet pudding. This form symbolizes attaining mental peace and cultivating unity of mind. The appearance of Lord Ganesha guides us towards the path of devotion. To achieve the final stage of devotion, one must embrace the four stages to attain the shadow of the divine: righteousness, wealth, pleasure, and home. Worshipping him relieves stress and brings mental peace.
4. Veera Ganapathi
In his sixteen arms, he wields numerous weapons including ears, Vedas, bows, arrows, spears, discs, stories, snakes, claws, hammers, axes, rainbows, and swords. Veera Ganapathi signifies the strength of courage. This form symbolizes the Agni element, empowering worshippers to conquer life's challenges. Worshipping him bestows courage and valour.
5. Sakthi Ganapathi
Sakthi Ganapathi holds a noose, and a garland, and displays the 'abhaya mudra' (protective hand gesture), each representing distinct aspects of His divine presence. He embraces Shakti Devi, seated on His left knee, symbolizing unity and strength in familial bonds. To receive His blessings, families must first cultivate companionship and harmony in their lives. Worshipping him brings wealth and family unity.
6. Dvija Ganapathi
Lord Ganesh, in his divine form as Dhvija Ganapathi, radiates the intricacies of his thirty-two aspects, as described in ancient scriptures. Devotion to Dvija Ganapathi guides one towards attaining higher knowledge and grace. It entails the unification of body and soul within a single sanctuary, a journey of inner struggle and growth. Worshipping him ensures good conduct and excellent education.
7. Siddhi Ganapathi
Siddhi Ganapathi is also known as 'Pingala Ganapati' due to his radiant golden-yellow colour. He blesses his devotees with success in all their endeavours. This form of Lord Ganesha represents accomplishment, where He appears in a serene posture, mastering intellect. He holds in his four hands a bouquet, a mango, a stalk of sugarcane with leaves and roots, and a battle axe. His trunk gracefully curls around a sweet sesame ball.
8. Ucchishta Ganapathi
Ucchishta Ganapathi is depicted holding a blue water lily, a veena, an adorned garland, a mango fruit, and a lotus in his five hands. This form of Lord Ganesha symbolizes the powers of desire, action, and knowledge. Worshipping Ucchishta Ganapathi is believed to ensure wealth and prosperity.
9. Vigna Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha has a golden complexion and eight arms. He holds a discus, conch shell, club, sugar cane, flower bouquet, and garland of flowers. Vigna Ganapathi symbolizes victory and success in life. Worshipping him removes obstacles and brings success in his endeavours.
10. Shipra Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha has a reddish complexion and four arms. He holds a broken tusk, sugar cane, a flower bouquet, and a small pot of gems in his trunk. This form is believed to fulfil all the wishes of its worshippers, granting them wisdom and wealth.
11. Heramba Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha's four faces represent the four directions of the universe, and his enormous countenance symbolizes cosmic vision. With all planets aligning under his gaze, he dispels all astrological afflictions and removes us from suffering, granting profound well-being. Worshipping him removes obstacles and provides protection.
12. Lakshmi Ganapathi
Lakshmi Ganapathi is depicted with eight arms. In seven of his hands, he holds a noose, a goad, a wish-fulfilling tree, a knife, a pomegranate, a parrot, and a water vessel. In his eighth hand, he shows the gesture of granting boons. The term "Lakshmi" signifies wealth. Lakshmi Ganapathi, with the two goddesses on his lap, represents this concept. He teaches that true wealth comes from both material wealth and divine grace.
13. Maha Ganapathi
In nine of his hands, he holds a noose, a goad, a sugarcane bow, a red lotus, ears of paddy, a tusk, a discus, a mango, and a blue water lily. In his tenth hand, he is shown embracing the Goddess. Maha Ganapathi, the primordial deity, has been worshipped for centuries, bestowing all-encompassing prosperity. The crescent moon on his crown signifies his power to remove all our flaws and illuminate our lives. Worshipping him grants great achievements.
14. Vijya Ganapathi
In the form of Vijaya Ganapathi, the Lord appears in a red hue with four hands, sitting on the Mooshika Vahana (Rat), depicted in proportionate size. In his main right hand, he holds his favourite fruit, a golden mango, while in the upper right hand holds a noose. In his main left hand, he holds his tusk, and the upper left-hand holds an elephant goad. The word "Vijaya" means "Victorious." Worshipping him makes one a successful achieve
15. Niruthya Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha with a golden hue, in a dancing posture. He has mandalas (sweet dumplings) in his fingers and holds items like a conch shell, club, pot, and garland in his four hands. He blesses with intellect and happiness.
16. Urthuva Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha with a deep golden complexion, sitting high like a pole. His six hands hold a bow, flower, blue lotus, conch shell, sugarcane, and a lotus flower. Urthuva Ganapathi, by having the green goddess and various significant items, teaches us the qualities needed to rise to high positions and succeed in our careers. Worshipping him brings him high status in life.
17. Ekakshara Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha with a reddish hue, sitting in a lotus posture with three eyes and a crescent moon. He has three tusks and holds items like a discus, a conch shell, and a crescent moon on his forehead. Worshipping him provides an understanding of scriptures and mantras.
18. Vara Ganapathi
Lord Ganesha with a golden complexion, standing with his left hand granting boons and holding a pot of nectar in his right hand. His upper hands hold items like a bowl of sweets and sugarcane. The crescent moon adorns his crown. Worshipping him fulfils all desires.
19. Tryakshara Ganapathi
Ganesha whose form resembles the three letters: A, U, and M, shines like gold. He has three eyes and four hands holding a flower, sugarcane, pot, and mango fruit. He holds a modak (sweet dumpling) in his trunk. Worshipping him makes understanding Vedas and mantras easier.
20. Kshipra Prasada Ganapathi
Ganesha on a dharbha (sacred grass) mat, reddish with three eyes and a crescent moon. His four hands hold a flower, sugarcane, pot, and a delightful mango fruit. Worshipping him brings great power and clarity to speech.
21. Haridra Ganapathi
Haridra Ganapathi, with a majestic presence like a king, sits calmly with three eyes and a golden-yellow hue. He is depicted with four hands holding a noose, a goad, a tusk, and a modak. Worshipping him grants all desires.
22. Ekadanta Ganapathi
Ekadanta Ganapathi, with a blue complexion, is known as the remover of ignorance. He has three eyes and is depicted with four hands holding an axe, a garland, a tusk, and a laddu. Worshipping him enhances education and removes fear of enemies.
23. Shrishti Ganapathi
Shrishti Ganapathi, sitting on a mouse with a red hue and three eyes, is depicted with four hands holding a noose, a goad, a tusk, and a mango. Worshipping him brings constant happiness.
24. Uddanda Ganapathi
He is the enforcer of Dharma, possessing ten arms that are well-equipped with various weapons. His hands hold a blue lily, a sugarcane stalk, a lotus, a mace, a noose, a paddy, a broken tusk, and a garland. Accompanying him is his consort, Shakti. Worshipping him leads to a righteous life.
25. Runamochana Ganapathi
Runamochana Ganapathi, with a white crystal complexion, three eyes, and dressed in red, is depicted with four hands holding a noose, a goad, a tusk, and a rose apple. Worshipping him relieves both debt and health issues.
26. Dhundi Ganapathi
Dhundi Ganapati, with a red hue and three eyes, is depicted with four hands holding a rosary, an axe, a gem pot, and a broken tusk. This form embodies and enhances the spiritual knowledge of devotees, guiding them on the path to moksha, or liberation. Worshipping him protects devotees, according to tradition.
27. Dvimukha Ganapathi
Dvimukha Ganapati, with a fresh blue hue and two faces, has three eyes and is dressed in red. He is depicted with four hands holding a noose, a goad, a broken tusk, and a gem pot. Worshipping him ensures well-being on both sides of life.
28. Trimukha Ganapathi
Trimukha Ganapathi, with a red hue and three faces, sits on a golden lotus throne. He is depicted with six hands holding a noose, a goad, a rosary, a pot of nectar, a gesture of fearlessness, and a gesture of granting boons. Worshipping him removes difficulties in the past, present, and future.
29. Simha Ganapathi
Simha Ganapathi, with a white hue, sits on a lion as his vehicle. He is depicted with eight hands holding a wish-fulfilling tree, a veena, a lion, a lotus, a gem pot, a bouquet, and showing gestures of granting boons and fearlessness. Worshipping him grants strength and courage.
30. Yoga Ganapathi
Yoga Ganapathi, seen at sunrise with a reddish hue and dressed in blue, is depicted in a yogic posture. He has four hands holding a rosary, sugarcane, a noose, and a yogic staff. Worshipping him grants mental focus and spiritual strength.
31. Durga Ganapathi
Durga Ganapathi, with a golden hue and dressed in red, stands majestically with eight hands. His hands hold a goad, a noose, a bow, an arrow, a rosary, a tusk, a rose apple, and a flag. Worshipping him removes darkness and brings victory, like light dispelling darkness.
32. Sankatahara Ganapati
Sankatahara Ganapati, dressed in blue, sits on a red lotus throne, radiating like the sun. He is accompanied by one of his goddesses and depicted with four hands holding a noose, a goad, a bowl of sweet rice, and a gesture of granting boons. Worshipping him removes sorrows and difficulties.