ગણેશ ષોડશ નામાવલિ, ષોડશનામ સ્તોત્રમ્

Overview

The Ganesha Shodasha Namavali (also known as the Shodashanama Stotram) is a Sanskrit text presenting sixteen names of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the deity of beginnings, in a salutation format. Each name is prefixed with "Om" and suffixed with "namah," making the list suitable for use during puja. The text belongs to the Ganapatya tradition of devotional namavali literature.

What are the benefits of chanting Ganesha Shodasha Namavali?

• Removal of obstacles (Vighna Nivarana)
• Cultivation of wisdom and intelligence (Buddhi Labha)
• Success in endeavors (Siddhi Prapti)
• Prosperity and auspiciousness through regular devotional practice

When is the best time to recite this?

Morning and evening are the standard times. Ganesha Chaturthi and Wednesdays, which are associated with Ganesha worship in regional traditions, are recommended occasions. It is also recited before beginning any new task or undertaking.

What is the historical and traditional background?

Shodasha Namavalis — sixteen-name lists — follow the standard namavali format found in Puranic and Tantric devotional literature. The number sixteen has ritual significance in Hindu worship contexts, appearing in the Shodashopachara (sixteen-service) puja format. The authorship and compilation date of this specific text are unknown, and it is not attributed to a major scriptural source. It has been transmitted through devotional practice and is found in collections of Ganesha stotrams used across different regional traditions.

Available scripts

This text is available in 14 scripts: devanagari, tamil, telugu, kannada, malayalam, gujarati, bengali, iast, gurmukhi, oriya, assamese, sinhala, itrans, hk. Use the script selector above to switch between them.

Related Texts

• Ganesha Ashtottara Sata Namavali — the extended 108-name salutation list for more formal puja
• Ganesha 12 Names (Dwadasha Namavali) — a related shorter namavali from the same tradition