Ekakshara Ganapati or Ekaakshara Ganapathy refers to the one who is of Single Syllable. In this avatar, the elephant-headed deity represents the sacred sound of `Aum`. Ekakshara Ganapati is the seventeenth form of the thirty-two forms of Lord Ganesha. This is a meditative form of the Hindu god and it is widely believed that the worship of Ekakshara Ganapati helps in controlling the mind and the senses.
This form is depicted in red complexion and is adorned in red silk and a garland of red flowers. The deity has three eyes with short arms and legs. A crescent moon is placed above his head, like his father Lord Shiva. Ekakshara Ganapati has four hands and is seated in Padmasana (lotus position in Yoga). The divine mouse (Mushika Vahana) serves as His mount. The deity carries an elephant goad in his upper left hand and a noose in the upper right hand. The Lord holds a pomegranate in his main right hand and the main left hand displays the Varada Mudra, which is a type of yoga mudra.
The ancient temple of Hampi in Karnataka and the temples of Lord Ganesha in Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar in Mysore district, Karnataka are some of the temples where this form of Lord Ganesha is worshipped. The worship of Ekakshara Ganapati form helps the devotees in meditating, controlling the mind and attaining inner peace.
The deity is venerated with the Ekakshara Ganapati Mantra. The religious hymn is recited as follows-
Raktorakangangkasha Kusumayutah Tundialah Chandramoulih
Nethraih Yuktistribhih Vamanakaracharano Beejapundadhanah
Hastagra Kalusa Pashankasharada Varado Nagavaktrohi Bhoosho
Devaha Padamasano No Havatu Natsuro Bhootayae Vighnarajaha.
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