In the commencement of events or businesses, Lord Ganesha is invoked as Vighneswara by a majority of Hindus, as he’s believed to be the remover of obstacles. He’s also recognized as the deity of propitious beginnings and a bestower of abundant fortune. Born to Lord Shiva and the Hindu Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha is revered. The Ganesha Purana elucidates the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha, with Mahaganapathi being widely venerated. The initial 16 forms of Ganesha are collectively referred to as “Shodasa Ganapati,” while the subsequent ones are known as “Ekavimsathi.” Let’s now explore all these 32 forms of Lord Ganesha.
Bala Ganapati
The sculpture portrays the youthful manifestation of Ganesha, symbolizing the Earth. The Bala Ganapathi figurine displays an elephant-like visage and bears four hands, each grasping Earth’s bounties – Mango, Jackfruit, Banana, and Sugarcane. His trunk clasps His cherished treat, the modaka. Devotees hold the belief that He safeguards them from wrongdoing.
Taruna Ganapati
This is the worshipper’s depiction of Lord Ganesha. He is illustrated with four arms, carrying a coconut, a mango, a banana, and a sweet dish made of jaggery (a cup of payasam).
Bhakti Ganapati
He is recognized as the revered Ganapati, guiding his devotees towards moksha through spiritual pursuits. With four hands, he holds a japa beads mala, a broken tusk, a vessel of precious gems, and an axe.
Veera Ganapati
This is the Courageous manifestation of Lord Ganesha, portrayed with 16 arms. Lord Ganesh stands in a robust stance, adorned with a formidable array of weapons, such as a goad, banner, bow and arrow, goblin, discus, sword, shield, large hammer, spear, axe, trident, noose, mace, and chakra. It is believed that Vira Ganapati conquers both ignorance and malevolence.
Shakti Ganapati
True to its name, this is the potent manifestation of Lord Ganesha, representing a Tantric mode of worship. With four hands, he embraces Shakti Devi seated on his left knee. His right hand, held in the Abhya Mudra gesture, imparts blessings to devotees, while his other hands bear a garland, a noose, and a goad.
Dvija Ganapati
The term “Dvija” signifies being born twice. This recalls the tale of Lord Shiva beheading Ganesha and reviving Him with an elephant’s head. According to Upanayana, Dvija Ganapati is seen as akin to Lord Brahma. Depicted with four heads and four hands, he holds a palm-leaf inscription, a staff, meditation beads, a water pot, a noose, and a goad.
Siddhi Ganapati
This represents the accomplished state of Lord Ganesha, portrayed in a relaxed pose that signifies mastery over intellect. He carries a bouquet of flowers, a mango, a stalk of sugarcane with leaves and roots, and a battle axe in his four hands. His trunk gracefully curls around a sweet sesame ball.
Ucchishta Ganapati
It signifies “the ruler of sacred offerings and the ruler of supremacy.” The Lord is depicted seated, with Shakti Devi on His left thigh. He possesses six hands, with an uncured tusk. Among his hands, he holds a veena, a blue lotus, a pomegranate, meditation beads, and a stalk of paddy.
Vighna Ganapati
He’s also recognized as the “Master of Obstacles,” responsible for eliminating hindrances from the lives of His followers. With eight arms, he wields a repertoire of tools for combating impediments, including a noose, goad, axe, discus, and a pointed tusk. His remaining hands grasp a flower-tipped arrow, sugarcane, and a modak.
Kshipra Ganapati
He is also known as Ganapati who is easy to appease and gives quick reward to the devotees. He is depicted to have a broken tusk and four hands holding a noose, goad and a sprig of the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree. In His uplifted trunk He holds a tiny pot of precious jewels which is considered as a symbol of the prosperity he can bestow upon followers.
Heramba Ganapati
He is the cherished child of the Mother, an uncommon manifestation wherein the Lord presents himself with five heads and ten hands. He’s also hailed as a splendid Guardian of the vulnerable. The Abhaya Mudra displayed by his right hand confers blessings, while his primary left hand fulfills wishes. His other hands hold a noose, japa beads mala (Rudraksha), a battle axe, a battle hammer, his broken tusk wielded as a weapon, a garland, a fruit, and his beloved sweet, the Modaka.
Lakshmi Ganapati
Frequently recognized as the auspicious Ganapati, he is portrayed with the Goddess Siddhi (Achievement) on one thigh and Goddess Budhi (Wisdom) on the other. Adorned with eight hands, his gestures include the varada mudra and Abhaya Mudra, while his other hands clasp a green parrot, a pomegranate, a sword, a noose, an elephant goad, a branch of the Kalpavriksha (Wish-fulfilling tree), and a water vessel. Both of his consorts hold white lotus flowers.
Maha Ganapati
The illustrious Ganapati is widely venerated, seated in a regal posture with one of his shaktis on his lap. He is portrayed with three eyes and a crescent moon adorning his head. His ten arms bear a tusk, a pomegranate, a sugarcane bow, a chakra, a noose, a blue lily, a sprig of paddy, a lotus, a mace, and a vessel of precious gems.
Vijaya Ganapati
Ganapati, the triumphant deity, is portrayed seated atop his sacred vehicle, Mooshika, the mouse. His four arms carry a broken tusk, a noose, a goad, and a ripe mango.
Nritya Ganapati
This is the lively manifestation of Ganapati, the joyful dancer. With four arms adorned with rings on each finger, he carries a tusk, a goad, a noose, and a modaka, his beloved sweet. Worshiping Nritya Ganapati is believed to bring skill and success in the fine arts to devotees.
Urdhava Ganapati
It is the elevated Ganapati and is depicted in sitting posture with His consort and has six arms holding single holds sprig of paddy, a lotus, a blue lily, a sugar cane bow, arrow and a mace.
Ekakshara Ganapati
In this depiction, Ganapati embodies the Single Syllable, the third eye, and the crescent moon. The single syllable emanates from the seed letter “Gam,” a pronominal sound of “OM.” He assumes a yogic lotus posture while seated upon his vehicle, Mooshika. One hand bestows blessings, while the others grasp a pomegranate, an elephant goad, and a noose.
Varada Ganapati
Referred to as the bestower of blessings, Ganapati is adorned with three eyes, a crescent, a crown, and four arms. Among his hands, he carries a noose, a goad, and a vessel of honey. By his side rests Devi Shakti, while his trunk gently cradles a pot of jewels.
Tyrakshara Ganapati
Also recognized as the Master of the three letters (A-U-M), this deity possesses three eyes and four hands. With prominent, drooping ears adorned with fly whisks, his hands bear a broken tusk, a goad, a noose, and a mango. His trunk is often depicted holding a modaka.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati
As implied by the name, Ganapati is the swift bestower of rewards. Seated on a throne of Kusha grass, his substantial belly signifies the universe. His hands clasp a broken tusk, a branch of Kalpavriksha (Wish-fulfilling tree), a noose, an elephant goad, a pomegranate, and a white lotus.
Haridra Ganapati
Ganapati, adorned in the hue of kumkuma, is positioned on an opulent, regal throne, radiating a serene countenance. His tusk cradles his beloved sweet, the modak, while his hands grip a noose and a goad.
Ekdanta Ganapati
As the name implies, this is the “single tusked” Ganapati. This form is distinctive due to his more substantial belly compared to other forms, symbolizing that the entirety of the universe’s manifestations resides within him. His hands carry a broken tusk, a laddu (sweet delicacy), japa beads mala (prayer beads), and an axe for severing the bonds of ignorance.
Srishti Ganapati
In this form, Ganapati assumes the role of a creator and the Lord of joyful manifestations. With four hands, he carries a broken tusk, a mango fruit, an elephant goad, and a noose. Seated atop his cherished Mooshika Vahana (mouse vehicle), he’s believed to assist his devotees in attaining the power of discrimination.
Uddanda Ganapati
In this form, Ganapati assumes the role of a creator and the Lord of joyful manifestations. With four hands, he carries a broken tusk, a mango fruit, an elephant goad, and a noose. Seated atop his cherished Mooshika Vahana (mouse vehicle), he’s believed to assist his devotees in attaining the power of discrimination.
Rinamochna Ganapati
Ganapati, the emancipator from debts, bestows moksha upon His followers. With four arms, he wields a noose, a goad, his broken tusk, and his beloved fruit – the rose apple.
Dhundi Ganapati
He is recognized as the desired Ganapati, guiding his devotees toward moksha through spiritual pursuits. With four hands, he holds a japa beads mala, a broken tusk, a vessel of precious gems, and an axe.
Dvimukha Ganpati
This is a distinct manifestation of Ganapati, featuring two heads that enable him to see in all directions. Within his four arms, he holds a goad, a noose, a pot of gems, and his tusk. Adorning his head is a jeweled crown.
Trimukha Ganapati
The tri-faced Ganapati possesses six arms, holding prayer beads, grasping a goad, a noose, and a pot of nectar. His posture displays the Abhaya mudra on his right hand and the Varada mudra on his left.
Simha Ganapati
He is recognized as the brave Ganapati, boasting eight arms. Seated upon a tiger, he also presents a lion, a branch from the Kalpavriksha tree, a veena, a lotus flower, a floral arrangement, and a vessel of gems in his hands. This form embodies tremendous courage and strength.
Yoga Ganapati
He assumes a yogic posture, with his knees folded in meditation. His hands grasp a stalk of sugarcane, a staff, prayer beads, and a noose.
Durga Ganapati
He is the unconquerable Ganapati, offering homage to Mother Durga. Depicted with eight arms, he wields a bow and arrow, a goad, a noose, prayer beads, a rose apple, and his broken tusk.
Sankathara Ganapati
He is the alleviator of sorrow. Seated upon a lotus, he possesses four arms, holding a bowl of pudding, a goad, and a noose, while making the boon-granting Varada mudra gesture. Additionally, his consort is by his side.
