11 Easy Steps to Worship/Pray to Lord Ganesha

As per Hindu mythology, worshipping Lord Ganesha helps people to get rid of all the obstacles in life, receive grants, support to enhance wealth, and bring prosperity. Ganesha Chaturthi is one of special festivals dedicated to him. On Deepawali day too, he is worshipped in most of the Hindu homes. Here are some simple steps to worship/pray to Lord Ganesha:

1. Educate yourself about Lord Ganesha 

First of all, you should be well aware of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha, also acknowledged as Ganpati, is also spelled as Ganesh and is an elephant-headed Hindu god. As per Hindu tradition and spiritual rituals, he is worshiped before the beginning of any significant work. He is the patron of bankers, authors, intellectuals, and scribes. His name Ganesha means both Lord of the Ganas and Lord of People. Usually, this Hindu god is depicted holding a tray with a few round Indian sweets, of which he is fond of.

• He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati 
• He belongs to wisdom, good fortune, and prosperity
• He is the remover of all the obstacles

2. Ensure you have an object representing Lord Ganesha

In Hindu religion, it is essential to have a statue, photo, or object depicting the respective god/goddess for offering prayers or worshiping. So, as a follower of Hinduism, you should ensure that you have a Ganesha Painting, statue, idol, or photo at the designated worship place. You can log onto an eCommerce website such as WallMantra.com for buying the stickers, paintings, hangings, or wall plates with an image of Lord Ganesha. 

3. Study the idol, photo or painting of Ganpati 

Take out some of your valuable time to know Lord Ganesha in detail and recall his significant features such as his trunk and the jewelry he puts on. With this, you will build an image of him in your mind and heart. It will facilitate you to worship him from your heart.

4. Collect all the requisite items 

Ganesha is very fond of sweet-smelling scents, sweet treats, and more. He is warmhearted. For worshiping him well, you should prepare sweets (laddus) to offer him. Further, arrange some flowers and decorate the place with sweet-smelling fragrances. Furthermore, you should buy diyas (made of clay, earth, or metal), oil, and allied requisite items to facilitate your worship to Lord Ganesha. Call your friends, relatives, and other known-persons to join you or bring offerings to Lord Ganesha. 

5. Light the diya

Whether it is made of earth or metal, lighting a diya is essential before you start offering your prayers to Ganpati. It is possible that your diya might have an image of Lord Ganesha on it. Fill the diya with mustard oil or ghee, put a batti made of cloth in it, and burn it by lighting a match stick or candle. 

6. Offer modakas, ladoos, and other retreats 

You should offer several sweet treats such as modakas and ladoos. For offering, you can place these sweet-smelling treats to Ganpati by placing them in a brass-made long plate. Offering these treats to Ganpati would facilitate you fetch his generosity upon you. As per your wish, you can purchase these sweet treats from your local market or prepare at your home.

• As sweet dumplings, modakas are made using coconut, rice flour, and cane sugar. 
• Ladoos are the treats that are made of sugar and flour.
• Don’t forget to offer bananas

7. Cover your head with a clean cloth piece or a dupatta if you are a female

As a male, you should wear a dhoti-kurta and place a red towel on your head. If you are a female, put a scarf, dupatta, or stole, or one part of your saree on your head. Covering your head will help you get his good blessings. 

8. Place a garland around the neck of Lord Ganesha 

Placing a garland around his neck will enable you to get more favor from your lord. If possible, put a garland made of erukku flowers, as Ganpati loves these flowers a lot. 

9. Chant one of Ganesha mantras 

In offering prayers to their gods, people follow the tradition of reciting respective mantras to make their gods happy. While worshipping Ganpati, you can chant any one of his mantras - Shaktivinayaka Mantra (Om Hreeng Green Heng), Siddhi Vinayaka Mantra ((Om Namo Siddi Vinayaka --------), and Vakratunda Mahakaya Shlok Mantra (Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya ----). 

10. Close your eyes, visualize the image of Ganpati, and talk to him 

Visualization is crucial for you to make your prayer take place without any disruption. And for this, take a seat close to the designated place, relax, take a deep breath, meditate, and start considering his physical appearance. Start speaking to his right ear to let him listen to your words. 

11. Blow the shankha, let the attendees take aarti and offer prashadam

At the end of your prayer/worship, you should blow a shankha and offer aarti to your god. After that, let all your attendees take the aarti and receive the sweet-smelling treats, you offered to Ganpati, as prashadam.