The Remover of All Obstacles (Avighna), the Lord of all Gods (Ganapati), and the Bestower of Success (Siddhivinayaka)- Lord Ganesha is worshiped in many forms . In most illustrations the figure of lord Ganesha contains four arms. But they can range up to sixteen or even twenty. His hands and arms are seen holding symbolic items. Some of the objects are also placed at his feet. These elements range from fruit and flowers to tools and weapons with spiritual significance. Thus Lord Ganesha is worshiped in various forms. But Ganesha has been politicised right from the beginning. At Lal Bagh Ganeshas of politicians have been installed. We can see a Ganehsa in the form of Subhash Chandra Bose who fought for Indias Independence. One cay say that we ahve achieved independence with the help of Ganesh Utsav also.
Broadly 32 forms have been widely discussed. But several other forms have been istalled and worshiped from time to time.
Bala Ganapati is “the Childlike” God with golden hue. He holds a banana, mango, sugar cane and jackfruit in his arms, all representing the earth’s abundance and fertility. His trunk garners His favorite sweet, the modaka.
Taruna Ganapati, “the Youthful,” holds a noose and goad, modaka, wood apple, rose apple, His broken tusk, a sprig of paddy and a sugar cane stalk in his eight arms. His brilliant red color reflects the blossoming of youth.
Shining like the full moon during harvest season and garlanded with flowers- Bhakti Ganapati is dear to devotees, is indeed pleasant to look upon. He holds a banana, a mango, coconut and a bowl of sweet payasa pudding.
The “Valiant Warrior- Vira Ganapati , assumes a commanding pose. His 16 arms bristle with weapons, symbols of mind powers: a goad, discus, bow, arrow, sword, shield, spear, mace, a battleaxe, a trident and more.
Four-armed and seated with one of his shaktis on his knee- Shakti Ganapati , “the Powerful,” with orange-red hue, guards the householder. He holds a garland, noose and goad, and bestows blessings with the abhaya mudra.
Four-headed Dvija Ganapati , “the Twice-born,” is moon-like in color. Holding a noose, a goad, an ola leaf scripture, a staff, water vessel and japa beads, He reminds one and all of the urgency for disciplined striving.
Golden- yellow Siddhi Ganapati , “the Accomplished,” is the epitome of achievement and self-mastery. He sits comfortably holding a bouquet of flowers, an axe, mango, sugar cane and, in his trunk he holdsa tasty sesame sweet.
Ucchhishta Ganapati is “Lord of Blessed Offerings” and guardian of culture. He posses blue complexion and six-armed, He sits with his Shakti, holding a vina, pomegranate, blue lotus flower, japa mala and a sprig of fresh paddy.
Vighna Ganapati , “Lord of Obstacles,” is of brilliant gold hue and bedecked in jewels. His eight arms hold a noose and goad, tusk and modaka, conch and discus, a bouquet of flowers, sugar cane, flower arrow and an axe.
Handsome and red- hued Kshipra Ganapati is “Quick-acting” giver of boons, he displays broken tusk, a noose, goad and a sprig of the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree. In his uplifted trunk he holds a tiny pot of precious jewels.
Five-faced, white in color, Heramba Ganapati is “Protector of the Weak,” and rides a big lion. He extends the gestures of protection and blessing while holding a noose, japa beads, axe, hammer, tusk, garland, fruit and modaka.
Lakshmi Ganapati is pure white giver of success, sits flanked by Wisdom and Achievement. Gesturing varada mudra, He holds a green parrot, a pomegranate, sword, goad, noose, sprig of kalpavriksha and a water vessel.
Accompanied by one of His shaktis, “the Great,” Maha Ganapati , is red-complexioned and three-eyed. He holds His tusk, a pomegranate, blue lily, sugar-cane bow, discus, noose, lotus, paddy sprig, mace and a pot of gems.
Four-armed with red hue and riding on resourceful mushika, Vijaya Ganapati is “the Victorious” bestower of success. His insignia are the broken tusk, elephant goad, a noose and a lucious golden mango, His favorite fruit.
The happy “Dancer,” Nritya Ganapati , is four-armed and golden, with rings on His fingers, holding a tusk, goad, noose and modaka sweet. He prances under the kalpavriksha tree, epitomizing exuberant activity and joy.
Seated with one of his shaktis on his left knee, Urdhva Ganapati is “the Elevated” Lord of golden hue. In his six hands he holds a sprig of paddy, a lotus, the sugar cane bow, an arrow, His ivory tusk and a blue water lily
Ekakshara Ganpati – “Single-Syllable” (gam), is three-eyed, with red complexion and attire. Crescent moon on His crown, He sits in lotus pose upon Mushika, offers the boon-giving gesture and holds a pomegranate, noose and goad.
Varada Ganapati is “the Boon-Giver with prominent third eye of wisdom, holds a dish of honey, the noose and goad and encloses a pot of jewels in His trunk. His shakti is at His side, and the crescent moon adorns His crown
Tryakshara Ganapati is “the Lord of Three Letters” (A-U-M), is gold in color and has fly whisks in his big floppy ears. He carries the broken tusk, goad, noose and mango and is often seen grasping a sweet modaka in His trunk.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati , “the Quick Rewarder,” presides from a kusha-grass throne. His big belly symbolizes the manifest universe. He holds a noose, goad, tusk, lotus, pomegranate and a twig of the wish-fulfilling tree.
Haridra Ganapati , the golden one dressed in bright yellow vestments, sits calmly on a posh, regal throne. Along with His tusk and a modaka, He wields a noose to hold devotees close and a sharp goad to spur them onward.
Ekadanta Ganpati – “Single Tusk,” is distinguished by his blue color and sizeable belly. The attributes of this murti are an axe for cutting the bonds of ignorance, prayer beads for japa, a laddu sweet and the broken right tusk.
Riding on His docile and friendly mouse, Srishti Ganapati is the lord of happy “Manifestation.” This active God, of red complexion, holds His noose a goad, a perfect mango, and His tusk, representing selfless sacrifice.
Uddanda Ganapati is the bold “Enforcer of Dharma,” the laws of being. His ten hands hold a pot of gems, a blue lily, sugar cane, a mace, lotus flower, sprig of paddy, a pomegranate, noose, garland and His broken tusk.
Rinamochana Ganapati is humanity’s liberator from guilt and bondage. His figure of alabaster skin is apparelled in red silks. He bears a noose and a goad, His milk-white tusk and a favorite fruit, the rose apple.
Red-hued Dhundhi Ganapati , “the Sought After,” holds a strand of rudraksha beads, His broken tusk, an axe and a small pot of precious gems thought to represent the treasury of awakenings He saves for all ardent devotees.
Dvimukha Ganapati , called Janus by the Romans, with two divergent faces, sees in all directions. His blue-green form is dressed in red silk. He wears a bejeweled crown and holds a noose, goad, His tusk and a pot of gems.
Trimukha Ganapati , the contemplative “three-faced” Lord of red hue, sits on a golden lotus, telling His beads, holding a noose, goad and vessel of nectar. He gestures protection with a right hand and blessings with a left.
Sinha Ganapati , white in color, rides a lion and displays another lion in one hand, symbolizing strength and fearlessness. He also holds a kalpavriksha sprig, the vina, a lotus blossom, flower bouquet and a pot of jewels
Yoga Ganapati is absorbed in mantra japa, His knees strapped in meditative pose, hands holding a yoga staff, sugar cane stalk, a noose and prayer beads. His color is like the morning sun. Blue garments adorn His form
Durga Ganapati , the “Invincible,” waves the flag of victory over darkness. This splendid murti is of deep gold hue, dressed in red, holding a bow and arrow, noose and goad, prayer beads, broken tusk and a rose apple.
Sankatahara Ganapati , “the Dispeller of Sorrow,” is of sunlike hue, dressed in blue, and seated on a red lotus flower. He holds a bowl of pudding, a goad and a noose while gesturing the boon-granting varada mudra.
