Ganesh Chaturthi puja is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) all over India, especially in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, with great energy and enthusiasm. A number of mantras and slokas are chanted while performing the rituals. Mantra is a sacred phrase chanted in a specific manner and repeated several times while worshipping the deity and slokas are Sanskrit verses from scriptures.
Ganesh Mantra and Slokas:
Vakratunda Ganesha Mantra
श्रीवक्रतुण्डमहाकायसूर्यकोटीसमप्रभा
निर्विघ्नंकुरुमेदेवसर्व-कार्येशुसर्वदा॥
Shree Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvada॥
Meaning: Give me the blessings of Lord Ganesha, who has a curved trunk, huge body, whose splendor equals to billions of Suns, so that all obstacles are removed from my path. Give me blessings so that I do not face obstacles in all my activities.
Ganesha Shubh Labh Mantra:
ॐश्रीमगमसौभाग्यगणपतये
वर्वर्दसर्वजन्ममेंवषमान्यनमः॥
Om Shreem Gam Saubhagya Ganpataye
Varvarda Sarvajanma Mein Vashamanya Namah॥
Meaning: Ganesh Shubh Labh is the prayer for prosperity based on Beej mantra (the seed mantra) of Lord Ganesha. We pray for good fortune, blessings and wishes for our present and future lives. We bow in reverence in front of the abolisher of obstacles, the one who protects us with long lives of health and happiness.
Ganpati Gayatri Mantra:
ॐएकदन्तायविद्धमहे, वक्रतुण्डायधीमहि,
तन्नोदन्तिप्रचोदयात्॥
Aum Ekadantaya Viddhamahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi,
Tanno Danti Prachodayat॥
Meaning: We pray for the blessings from the single-tusked Lord, who is omnipresent. We meditate and pray for greater intelligence to the Lord with the curved, elephant-shaped trunk. We pay homage before the elephant toothed Lord to enhance our minds with wisdom.
Slokas on Lord Ganesh:
Shuklam Bara Dharam Vishnum
Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet
Sarva Vighna Upashaanthaye
Meaning: We pray for the blessings of Lord Ganesh who is dressed in white (symbolizing purity), is omnipresent and is of grey complexion like ash (beaming with spiritual magnificence). He bears four arms, has a dazzling appearance (portraying inner peace and joy) and can abolish obstacles (in the divine and worldly path of life).
Srikantho Mathulo Yasya, Jananee Sarva Mangalaa
Janakaha Sankaro Devaha, Tam Vande’ Kunjaraananam
Meaning: The Lord, whose uncle is Lord Vishnu, whose mother is the sacred and auspicious Parvati and father is Lord Shiva. I offer reverence to Lord Ganesh, the Omkara.
Prasanna Vinaayakam Devam, Perivana Pura Samsthitham
Sarva Vigna Haram Nithyam, Vandhe Sri Kunjaraananam
Meaning: The Lord Sri Prasanna Vinaayaka, who resides in Pearland Temple; one who abolishes all obstacles of his disciples always; one who possesses Omkara face of the elephant. I worship the celestial Ganesha.
Agajaanana Padmaarkam, Gajaananam Aharnisham
Anekadantham Bhaktaanaam, Ekadantam Upaasmahey
Meaning: Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed, is like the sun to the lotus face of Mother Parvati. The single-tusked Ganesha is the deliverer of blessings. I pay my respect to the great Lord who grants us blessings.
Several mantra and slokas praising Lord Ganesh are chanted while performing the rituals of Ganesh Puja festival and they form an essential part of Ganesh worship.