Every Hindu puja, wedding or homam begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesha. He is Vighneshwara — the lord who removes obstacles — and Prathama Pujya, the one worshipped first. Why?
The story of the race around the world
When Shiva and Parvati asked their sons to circle the world, Kartikeya set off on his peacock. Ganesha simply walked around his parents, saying they were his whole world. Pleased by his wisdom, Shiva declared that Ganesha would be worshipped before every other deity.
The meaning
- Removing obstacles — beginning with Ganesha asks that the work ahead be free of hindrances.
- Wisdom before action — he is the lord of intellect (buddhi) and good judgement.
- Humility — starting with a prayer reminds us that success is not ours alone.
Simple prayers to begin with
- “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah”
- “Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva-karyeshu sarvada”
- “Shuklambaradharam Vishnum shashivarnam chaturbhujam…” — the verse that opens many South Indian pujas
Ganesha in daily life
Many families keep a small Ganesha at the entrance, offer durva grass and modak on Wednesdays, and keep Sankashti Chaturthi (with the fast broken at moonrise) and Vinayaka Chaturthi every month.
Starting something new — a business, a house, a course of study? Book a Ganapati Puja or Ganapathi Homam for an obstacle-free beginning.