Methods of Worship of Ganesha

Methods of Worship of Ganesha

Methods of Worship of Lord Ganesha involve visible and invisible forms of adoration. The worship includes five kinds of offerings known as "Pancha Upacharas".

Methods of Worship of Lord Ganesha involve visible and invisible forms of adoration. However the visible form of worship is most popular in India. It is widely believed that Lord Ganesha is adored first before the worship of any other Gods. The Puranic legends mention that Lord Ganesha is invoked first before any other deity. Moreover the Lord should be worshipped before the beginning of any new projects.

Pancha Upacharas of Lord Ganesha
The worship includes five kinds of offerings known as "Pancha Upacharas". The Pancha Upacharas signifies the Pancha Bhutas and the five types of offerings have different indications. These are:

i. Fragrance (Gandha) of white or red Sandalwood paste,
ii. Lighting of incense sticks (Dhupa),
iii. Lighting of oil lamps (Deepa),
iv. Offerings of fruits and sweets (Naivedyam) and
v. Offering of flowers (Pushparchana).

The offering of fragrance denotes the earth, the lamps or Deepa represents fire, the incense sticks signifies the air, the fruit and sweets denotes water and the flowers denote the sky. Among the fruits offered to the deity, coconut is regarded as one of the most important fruits. It indicates the head of the worshipper which is respectfully submitted to the Lord. The breaking of the coconut symbolizes the breaking of ego and unwanted qualities of the devotee.

Mantras for Worship of Lord Ganesha
Generally the Swastika is illustrated over a hard surface or a cloth. A coin is placed at the adjoining point of the cross. A full or partial (unbroken) betel-nut is placed over the coin. The "Swasti Vachana" is also chanted during the ritual. The sacred mantra can be recited as:

"Om Asya Karmanah Punyaham Bhavanto Bruvantu
Om Punyaham Om Punyaham Om Punyaham
Om Asya Karmanah Swasti Bhavanto Bruvantu Ayusmate Swasti
Om Swasti Om Swasti Om Swasti
Om Asya Karmano Rddhim Bhavanto Bruvantu
Om Rdhyatam Om Rdhyatam Om Rdhyatam
Om Swasti No Govindah
Swasti No Acyutanantau
Swasti No Vasudevo Visnur Dadhatu
Swasti No Narayana Naro Vai
Swasti Na Padmanabha Purusottama Dadhatu
Swasti No Visvakseno Visvaresvarah
Swasti No Hrsikeso Harir Dadhatu
Swasti No Vainateyo Harih
Swasti No Anjana Suto Hanur Bhagavato Dadhatu
Swasti Swasti Sumangalaih Keso Mahan
Sri Krsna Sac-Cid Ananda Ganah Sarvesvaresvaro Dadhatu"

While chanting the Swasti Vachana, the Brahmin priest distributes flower petals or rice or both and continues to recite the verses of the sacred mantra from the Vedic literature. After the Lord is invoked, the priest pours flower petals and whole rice over the betel-nut. This process is repeated by the worshippers as well.

Benefits of Worship of Lord Ganesha
Worshipping Lord Ganesha brings good fortune to one’s personal and professional life. This puja helps one become wise and knowledgeable. The souls of the worshipers are purified by the grace of Lord Ganesh. Financial difficulties are resolved easily by performing Ganesh puja and one can gain great success in their business.

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