Ganesha Stotram: Ganesh Stotras, Mantras & 108 Names with Lyrics
Ganesha stotras are hymns, mantras and name lists addressed to Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati who is worshipped first, before any other deity or undertaking. This collection has Sanskrit stotras such as the Ganapati Atharvashirsha and Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram, the 12, 21, 32, 108 and 1000 names of Ganesha, a kavacham, a chalisa and Carnatic songs, each in Devanagari, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and other scripts. Ganesha is called Vighneshvara, the lord of obstacles: he removes obstacles for those who pray to him and places them before undertakings that begin without him. That is why so many of these texts ask for a clear path, and why they are recited at the start of a day, a puja, a journey or a new piece of work.
Most popular Ganesha stotras
- 1Ganapati Atharva Sheersham · श्री गणपति अथर्व षीर्षम् (गणपत्यथर्वषीर्षोपनिषत्)The Vedic hymn to Ganesha as the supreme reality, recited on Chaturthi and at the start of Ganesh Chaturthi puja.Stotram · 14 verses
- 2Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram · सङ्कट नाशन गणेश स्तोत्रम्Twelve names of Ganesha from the Narada Purana, recited to clear obstacles; the usual choice on Sankashti Chaturthi.Stotram · 8 verses
- 3Sree Maha Ganesha Pancharatnam · श्री महागणेश पञ्चरत्नम्Five verses by Adi Shankaracharya, opening with “Mudakaratta modakam”; short enough for daily recitation.Stotram · 5 verses
- 4Ganesha Dwadashanama Stotram · गणेश द्वादशनाम स्तोत्रम्The twelve names said before study, a wedding, travel or any new undertaking.Stotram · 7 verses
- 5108 Names of Lord GaneshaThe 108 names used for archana, offering a flower or durva grass with each name.Namavali · 108 verses
- 6Runa Vimochana Ganapathi Stotram · ऋण विमोचन गणपति स्तोत्रम्A prayer to Ganesha for relief from debt.Stotram · 9 verses
- 7Ganesha Kavacham · गणेश कवचम्A protective prayer that places each part of the body under Ganesha's care.Kavacham · 27 verses
- 8Vatapi Ganapatim Bhajeham · वातापि गणपतिं भजेहंMuthuswami Dikshitar's Carnatic song in raga Hamsadhwani, often sung at the start of a concert.Stotram
When to recite Ganesha stotras
- Sankashti Chaturthi: the fourth day after the full moon. Devotees fast until moonrise and recite the Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram, whose name means “destroyer of troubles”. See the Sankashti Chaturthi dates.
- Vinayaka Chaturthi: the fourth day after the new moon, every month. See the Vinayaka Chaturthi dates.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: the Vinayaka Chaturthi of Bhadrapada (August or September), when Ganesha is installed at home for one to ten days. The Ganapati Atharvashirsha and the 108 names are recited during the puja.
- Wednesdays and Tuesdays: both are traditional days for Ganesha worship in different regions.
- Before any beginning: a short text such as the Dwadashanama Stotram or Pancharatnam is said before study, travel, a wedding or opening a business.
Which text to choose
- For daily recitation: Ganesha Pancharatnam (5 verses), Dwadashanama Stotram or the Sankata Nashana stotram take a few minutes.
- For puja and archana: the 108 names (Ashtottara Shatanamavali) are read one by one with an offering. The 1000 names are for longer pujas.
- For a Vedic recitation: the Ganapati Atharvashirsha and the Ganapati Suktam are chanted with Vedic intonation and are often learnt from a teacher.
- For a specific need: the Runa Vimochana stotram is said for debts, the Santhana Ganapathi stotram by couples praying for a child, and the Ganesha Kavacham for protection.
- In Hindi: the Ganesha Chalisa is the most familiar Ganesha prayer in North India.
All 36 Ganesha texts
Stotram (19)
Namavali (11)
Mantra (2)
Kavacham (1)
Frequently asked questions
Which Ganesha stotram should I recite to remove obstacles?
The Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotram is the traditional choice. Its closing verses say that reciting its twelve names removes obstacles and fear, and it is the stotra most associated with Sankashti Chaturthi. The Ganesha Dwadashanama Stotram serves the same purpose before a new undertaking.
What is the Ganapati Atharvashirsha?
The Ganapati Atharvashirsha, also called the Ganapati Upanishad, is a Sanskrit text in the Atharvaveda tradition that describes Ganesha as the supreme reality (Brahman). It contains the mantra “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” and is recited on Chaturthi days and during Ganesh Chaturthi.
How many names of Ganesha are there?
The collection has lists of 12, 16, 21, 32, 108 and 1000 names. The 12 names (Sumukha, Ekadanta, Kapila, Gajakarnaka and others) are the best known. The 21 names are used with 21 blades of durva grass, and the 108 names are used for daily archana.
Can Ganesha stotras be recited without initiation?
Stotras, name lists and the Ganesha Chalisa are generally recited by anyone, at home, without initiation. Vedic texts such as the Atharvashirsha and Ganapati Suktam are traditionally learnt from a teacher so that the accents are correct.
Which day is best for Ganesha stotras?
Chaturthi, the fourth lunar day, is Ganesha's day: Sankashti Chaturthi after the full moon and Vinayaka Chaturthi after the new moon. Among weekdays, Wednesday and Tuesday are the usual days.