32 forms of Lord Shri Ganesh

????????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ?? ??? ???????????? ??????? ???? - ???????? ???? ????, ????? ???? ???, ????? ????? ?? ???? ???? ???????????? ???? ?????, ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? (???? ?? ???? ????)? Lord Ganesh who have rounded tusk he who is of large body who is brilliant like crores of suns protect us from problems and sufferings. Lord Ganesh is god of success protection and wisdom. It is impossible to say about every fact about him. There is a sect which worship Ganesh as supreme God named as ganpatya.

Ga?apati, the name of Ga?e?a, was lifted from basically a single verse : “ga?ānā? tvā …” which is actually for Brahma?aspati, an epithet of B?haspati, who is the form aligned with Indra in the context of Indra being the sageliest of sages who breaks the vala enclosure and releases the cows of spiritual light and knowledge. The Lord Ga?e?a, as we see in Puranas, has nothing to do with this B?haspati. Though a few interpolated verses have been added in the form of fake Upanishads to glorify this later deity, he is virtually unknown in all authentic Brahmanic/Vedic scriptures.

The deity was probably inspired from a non Vedic, non Brahmanic tradition which worshiped elephant-god as symbol of might, intelligence and crushing all obstacles. The worship of Ganesha is considered complementary with the worship of other deities. Hindus of all sects begin prayers, important undertakings, and religious ceremonies with an invocation of Ganesha, because of Ganesha's role as the god of beginnings. But although most Hindu sects do revere Ganesha, the Ganapatya sect goes further than that, and declares Ganesha to be the supreme being

Ganapati has been worshipped as part of Shaivism since at least the fifth century. A specific Ganapatya sect probably began to appear between the sixth and ninth centuries: six sects are mentioned in the Sankara digvijaya (life of Adi Shankara) by Anandigiri. It reached a high point about the tenth century, and built temples dedicated to Ganesha, the largest of which is the Ucchi pilliyar koli (the Columns Hall of a Thousand Pillars), on the Rock Fort of Tiruchirapalli in TamilNadu . Ganesha is worshipped as the Supreme Being in this sect. Being the chief deity in this form of Hinduism, he is known by the epithet Parameshwara (Supreme God), which is normally reserved for Shiva.

32 Forms of Vinayak: Lord Ganesha - The Remover of Obstacles

Lord Ganesha or Vinayak is the first son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesh also known as Vighneshwar—meaning the Remover of Obstacles—is widely celebrated as the God who brings good beginnings and fortune. As such, Vinayak is worshiped at the beginning of any effort, business or celebration. According to Ganesha Purana, Vinayak is described in 32 different forms or manifestations, however, Maha Ganapati is the most commonly worshiped form. In light of the Vinayak Chaturthi celebrations, let us take a look at the 32 forms of Ganpati

1. Bala Ganapati: As the name suggests, Bala Ganapati is the child form ofGanesh that symbolises earth's abundance and fertility as he holds a banana, mango, sugarcane, and jackfruit in each of His four hands. His trunk curls around His favourite sweet 'Modaka'.

2. Taruna Ganapati: Taruna Ganapati is in His teens and symbolises youthfulness (His body glows in red). In this form, Vinayak has 8 arms, each holding a modakam, noose, goad, wood apple, rose apple, tusk, some paddy, and sugar cane.

3. Bhakti Ganapati: As Bhakti Ganapati, Vinayak holds a banana, a mango, coconut and a bowl of sweet payasam pudding in each of His four arms. The divine sight of this form shines like a full moon and usually worshipped by farmers during harvest season.

4. Vira Ganapati: Vira Ganapati is a 16-armed warrior holding weapons in His arms—signifying Vinayak's triumph over evil and ignorance.

5. Shakti Ganapati: In this form, Vinayak is a protector as one of His 'shaktis' is seated on His lap. On the other hand, Shakti Ganapati holds an 'Abhaya mudra', bestowing blessings to all His devotees.

6. Dvija Ganapati: This four-headed Dvija Ganapati is worshipped for wealth and knowledge. 'Dvija' means twice born. In this form, Vinayak holds a ‘Kamandalu’, Rudraksha, a staff, and a leaf scripture.

7. Siddhi Ganapati: Glowing in golden yellow, Siddhi Ganapati is the master of intellect and success. Sitting in a relaxed position, this form of Vinayak holds a bouquet of flowers, an axe, mango, sugar cane and, in His trunk, a modaka.

8. Ucchhishta Ganapati: Ucchhishta Ganapati is called the 'Lord of Blessed Offerings' and is the guardian of culture. 'Shakti' of creativity sits on His laps and His hands carry the veena, a blue lotus, pomegranate, meditation beads and a stalk of paddy.

9. Vighna Ganapati: Vighna Ganapati means remover of obstacles. Just like Lord Vishnu, this eight-armed form of Vinayagar has a Shankh and Chakra in two of His hands. In others, He holds a noose, goad, tusk, modak, a bouquet of flowers, sugar cane, flower arrow, and an axe.

10. Kshipra Ganapati: It's believed that Kshipra Ganapati is the giver of boons. In this form, Lord is known to fulfill His devotees' wishes quickly. He carries a noose, goad and a sprig of the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree. A pot of jewels is seen curled up in His trunk.

11. Heramba Ganapati: Ganesha is a five-faced protector who rides a lion in this form called Heramba Ganapati. He carries an axe, hammer, noose, beads, broken tusk, garland, fruit and modakam in eight of His ten hands.

12. Lakshmi Ganapati: His shaktis Buddhi and Siddhi seated on Vinayak's laps in this form is actually wisdom and achievement. Two of His hands gesture the Varada and Abhaya Mudra while other hands bear a green Parrot, a Pomegranate, a sword, a noose, elephant goad, sprig of Kalpavriksha (Wish-fulfilling tree) and water vessel. Both His shakti hold white lotus flowers.

13. Maha Ganapati: The most commonly-worshiped form of Ganesha. It's believed that the worshipers of Maha Ganapati will gain intellect, prosperity and protection from evil. Seated together with one of His shaktis, Maha Ganapati holds His broken tusk, blue lily, lotus, a pomegranate, a stalk of sugarcane, sprig of paddy and weapons.

14. Vijaya Ganapati: Vijaya means victory. Sitting on top of Mooshak (His vehicle mouse), Vijaya Ganapati is the destroyer of dark forces. His four arms carry a broken tusk, noose, goad, and a ripe mango.

15. Nritya Ganapati: With a golden glow, Nritya Ganapati is the Dancer—joyfully vibrant! Dancing under the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree, he wears rings on His fingers while the four arms bear the tusk, noose, goad, and modaka.

16. Urdhva Ganapati: Urdhava Ganapati is the 'elevated one' who's sitting in a tantric position with His shakti. Each of His six hands bears a lotus, paddy, sugarcane, an arrow, broken tusk, and blue lily.

17. Ekakshara Ganapati: Sitting on His divine vehicle Mooshika in the Padmashana pose, Ekakshara Ganapati is a four-armed and three-eyed form of Ganesha . He holds a noose, goad and a pomegranate in His hands.

18. Varada Ganapati: Varada Ganapati fulfills His devotees' wishes. Just like His father Lord Shiva, Varada Ganapati has the third eye of wisdom and a crescent moon over His head. He also bears a noose, goad, dish of honey in His hands and a pot of jewels in His trunk.

19. Tryakshara Ganapati: Tryakshara Ganapati is the Lord of A-U-M. He carries the broken tusk, goad, noose and mango in His hands and a modaka in His trunk.

20. Kshipra Prasada Ganapati: This form of Ganesha rests on a Kusha grass throne. He fulfills His devotees' wishes quickly but punishes any wrongdoings even quicker. While His big belly symbolises the universe, while His arms bear a broken tusk, the twig of Kalpavriksha, noose, an elephant goad, pomegranate, and a white lotus.

21. Haridra Ganapati: Seated on a royal throne, this calm-faced Haridra Ganapati clad in golden yellow vest and ornaments holds a broken tusk, modakam, noose and a goad in His hands.

22. Ekadanta Ganapati: Compared to the other forms, Ekadanta Ganapati has a bigger belly and is known for His broken tusk. His hands hold broken tusk, Ladu, japa beads mala, and an axe to cut the bond of ignorance.

23. Srishti Ganapati: Srishti Ganapati is the happy form of Ganesha. He holds a noose, a goad, a perfect mango, and His tusk, representing selfless sacrifice.

24. Uddanda Ganapati: Uddanda Ganapati enforces justice. Accompanied by one of His shaktis, this is an angry form of Vinayak. In His ten hands, he carries a pot of jewels, a blue lily, sugar cane, mace, lotus flower, a sprig of paddy, pomegranate, noose, garland, and His broken tusk.

25. Rinamochana Ganapati: Rinamochana Ganapati frees His devotees from guilt and bondage by giving 'moksha'. He wields a noose, goad, rose apple and broken tusk in His four hands.

26. Dhundhi Ganapati: Dhundh means search. This is the form of Vinayar sought after by the devotees. He is the symbol of awakening. Dhundhi Ganapati holds a strand of rudraksha beads, His broken tusk, an axe, and a small pot of jewels.

27. Dvimukha Ganapati: In this form, Vinayagar has two faces enabling Him to see in all directions. Dvimukha Ganapati's four arms hold the goad, noose, a pot of gems and His broken tusk symbolising self-sacrifice.

28. Trimukha Ganapati: Just like His name, this form of Vinayak is three-faced and bestows protection and blessings to His devotees. Resting on a golden lotus, this six-armed Trimukha Ganapati bears a noose, goad, beads and a pot of nectar.

29. Sinha Ganapati: Sinha Ganapati is fearless as he rides and holds lions to signify strength and boldness. He also carries a kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) sprig, the vina, a lotus blossom, flower bouquet and a pot of jewels.

30. Yoga Ganapati: As the name suggests, Vinayak resembles a yogi in this form. Glowing like the morning sun, Yoga Ganapati is seen meditating while His hands hold a stalk of sugar cane, a staff, prayer beads, and a noose.

31. Durga Ganapati: As Durga Ganapati, Vinayak symbolises triumph over darkness. In this form, He bears a bow, arrow, noose, goad, prayer beads, broken tusk and a rose apple in His hands.

32. Sankatahara Ganapati: Sankatahara Ganapati eliminates all sorts of sorrows and difficulties. As Vinayak sits on a red lotus in this form, He carries noose, goad and a bowl of payasam in His hands. His right-hand shows Varadha mudra to bestow blessings to the devotees.