Ganesh Among the many deities worshipped by the Hindus, Lord Ganesa has a special place in the Hindu Pantheon. All people, big and small, educated and illiterate, rich and poor always offer special prayers to Ganesa. His name is invoked at the commencement of all undertakings of any kind of worship as He is the provider of wisdom and remover of all obstacles.

Let us pray to that mighty Lord of the Beginning of all beginnings by understanding the meaning of his sixteen names recited during Ganesa Puja.

SUMUKHAS CAIKANDANTASCHA KAPILO GAJAKARNAKAH
LAMBODARASCA VIKATO VIGHNARAJO VINAYAKAH
DHUMAKETUR GANADHYAKSAH BHALCANDRO GAJANANAH
VAKRATUNDA SURPAKARNO HERAMBAH SKANDA PURVAJAH


1. OM SUMUKHAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has pleasant face
2. OM EKADANTAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one has single tusk
3. OM KAPILAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one is red colored
4. OM GAJAKARNAKAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has the ears of an elephant
5. OM LAMBODARAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has a huge belly
6. OM VIKATAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who make us laugh
7. OM VIGHNARAJAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who wards off obstacles
8. OM VINAYAKAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who is the master of all
9. OM DHUMAKETAVE NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has hoisted the victory flag of smoke
10. OM GANADHYAKSAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who is the chief of all demigods
11. OM BHALACANDRAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who adorns the forehead with the moon
12. OM GAJANANAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has an elephant face
13. OM VAKRATUNDAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who has twisted trunk
14. OM SURPAKARNAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who ears like the fan
15. OM HERAMBAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who is the protector of the weak
16. OM SKANDAPURVAJAYA NAMAH - Namaskaram to the one who was born before Skanda (Subramanya)