Upcoming Ganesha Festival!

          OK so the Ganesha Chaturthi is nearing, which I am extremely excited about. Ganesha is one of my foremost patron deities. He has many shrines in my home and at work. I have been to several of the festivals at some of the Hindu temples in the cities I have lived in. They are wonderful events that really make you feel welcomed and loved. If you have a temple near you, go! It’s worth the time!

          If you are in northwest Arkansas you can visit the local temple here!

          Part of the ritual consists of a chant done several times including all 108 names of Ganesha. The following is a list of names. Any of these can be used to call upon Ganesha depending on the devotees need.

1. Akhuratha : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
2. Alampata : Ever Eternal Lord
3. Amit : Incomparable Lord
4. Anantachidrupamayam : Infinite and Consciousness Personified
5. Avaneesh : Lord of the whole World
6. Avighna : Remover of Obstacles
7. Balaganapati : Beloved and Lovable Child
8. Bhalchandra : Moon-Crested Lord
9. Bheema : Huge and Gigantic
10. Bhupati : Lord of the Gods
11. Bhuvanpati : God of the Gods
12. Buddhinath :God of Wisdom
13. Buddhipriya : Knowledge Bestower
14. Buddhividhata : God of Knowledge
15. Chaturbhuj : One who has Four Arms
16. Devadeva : Lord! of All Lords

17. Devantakanashakarin : Destroyer of Evils and Asuras

18. Devavrata : One who accepts all Penances
19. Devendrashika : Protector of All Gods
20. Dharmik : One who gives Charity
21. Dhoomravarna : Smoke-Hued Lord
22. Durja : Invincible Lord
23. Dvaimatura : One who has two Mothers
24. Ekaakshara : He of the Single Syllable
25. Ekadanta : Single-Tusked Lord
26. Ekadrishta : Single-Tusked Lord
27. Eshanputra :Lord Shiva's Son
28. Gadadhara : One who has The Mace as His Weapon
29. Gajakarna :One who has Eyes like an Elephant
30. Gajanana : Elephant-Faced Lord
31. Gajananeti : Elephant-Faced Lord
32. Gajavakra : Trunk of The Elephant
33. Gajavaktra : One who has Mouth like an Elephant
34. Ganadhakshya : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)

35. Ganadhyakshina : Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
36. Ganapati : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
37. Gaurisuta : The Son of Gauri (Parvati)
38. Gunina : One who is The Master of All Virtues
39. Haridra : One who is Golden Coloured
40. Heramba : Mother's Beloved Son
41. Kapila : Yellowish-Brown Coloured
42. Kaveesha : Master of Poets
43. Krti : Lord of Music
44. Kripalu : Merciful Lord
45. Krishapingaksha : Yellowish-Brown Eyed
46. Kshamakaram :The Place of Forgiveness
47. Kshipra : One who is easy to Appease
48. Lambakarna : Large-Eared Lord
49. Lambodara : The Huge Bellied Lord
50. Mahabala : Enormously Strong Lord
51. Mahaganapati : Omnipotent and Supreme Lord

52. Maheshwaram : Lord of The Universe
53. Mangalamurti : All Auspicious Lord
54. Manomay : Winner of Hearts
55. Mrityuanjaya : Conqueror of Death
56. Mundakarama : Abode of Happiness
57. Muktidaya : Bestower of Eternal Bliss
58. Musikvahana : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
59. Nadapratithishta : One who Appreciates and Loves Music
60. Namasthetu : Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and Sins
61. Nandana : Lord Shiva's Son
62. Nideeshwaram : Giver of Wealth and Treasures
63. Omkara :One who has the Form Of OM
64. Pitambara : One who has Yellow-Coloured Body
65. Pramoda : Lord of All Abodes
66. Prathameshwara : First Among All
67. Purush : The Omnipotent Personality
68. Rakta : One who has Red-Coloured Body

69. Rudrapriya : Beloved Of Lord Shiva
70. Sarvadevatman : Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
71. Sarvasiddhanta : Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
72. Sarvatman : Protector of The Universe
73. Shambhavi : The Son of Parvati
74. Shashivarnam : One who has a Moon like Complexion
75. Shoorpakarna : Large-Eared Lord
76. Shuban : All Auspicious Lord
77. Shubhagunakanan : One who is The Master of All Virtues
78. Shweta : One who is as Pure as the White Colour
79. Siddhidhata : Bestower of Success and Accomplishments
80. Siddhipriya :Bestower of Wishes and Boons
81. Siddhivinayaka : Bestower of Success
82. Skandapurvaja : Elder Brother of Skand (Lord Kartik)
83. Sumukha : Auspicious Face
84. Sureshwaram : Lord of All Lords
85. Swaroop : Lover of Beauty

86. Tarun : Ageless
87. Uddanda : Nemesis of Evils and Vices
88. Umaputra : The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati)
89. Vakratunda : Curved Trunk Lord
90. Varaganapati : Bestower of Boons
91. Varaprada : Granter of Wishes and Boons
92. Varadavinayaka : Bestower of Success
93. Veeraganapati : Heroic Lord
94. Vidyavaridhi : God of Wisdom
95. Vighnahara : Remover of Obstacles
96. Vignaharta : Demolisher of Obstacles
97. Vighnaraja :Lord of All Hindrances
98. Vighnarajendra : Lord of All Obstacles
99. Vighnavinashanaya : Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments
100. Vigneshwara : Lord of All Obstacles
101. Vikat : Huge and Gigantic
102. Vinayaka : Lord of All

103. Vishwamukha : Master of The Universe
104. Vishwaraja : King of The World
105. Yagnakaya : Acceptor of All Sacred and Sacrificial Offerings
106. Yashaskaram : Bestower of Fame and Fortune
107. Yashvasin : Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
108. Yogadhipa : The Lord of Meditation