How to Honor Ganapati

One of the ways to honor Ganesha is to chant mantras to him on a mala

A mala is a string of beads used when saying prayers or mantras, much as a rosary is used by Catholics
It has 108 regular beads and one specal larger bead know as the guru bead that lets you know when you've finished the cycle
108 is a sacred number in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions

Sandalwood malas are especially pleasing to Ganesha

A typical mantra for honoring Ganesha is "Om gam Ganapataye namah"

Another way to honor Ganesha is to make him an offering

Offerings are usually accompanied by saying the appropriate phrase

I offer Ganapati food -- "Om gung Ganapataye naivedye svaha"

I offer Ganapati water -- "Om gung Ganapataye ape svaha"

I offer Ganapati a bell's sound -- "Om gung Ganapataye ghante svaha"

I offer Ganapati flowers -- "Om gung Ganapataye pushpe svaha"

I offer Ganapati incense -- "Om gung Ganapataye dhoope svaha"

I offer Ganapati a candle -- "Om gung Ganapataye deepe svaha"

It is also said that if one honors Ganesha by chanting these twelve names of his daily, at morning, noon and night, with palms pressed together, that Ganesha becomes very pleased, and within six months will remove major obstacles from your life's goals

GANAPATI'S 12 GREAT NAMES

Om, Obeisances to:

Om Vakratundaaya namah (Twisted trunk)

Om Ekadantaaya namah (Single Tusk)

Om Krishnapingaakshaaya namah (Dark-brown Eyes)

Om Gajavaktraaya namah (Elephant Mouth)

Om Lambodaraaya namah (Pendant Tummy)

Om Vikataaya namah (Outrageous One)

Om Vighnaraajaaya namah (King Over Obstacles)

Om Dhumravarnaaya namah (Smokey Colored)

Om Baalachandraaya namah (Baby-Moon Crowned)

Om Vinaayakaaya namah (Trickster)

Om Ganapataye namah (Lord of Categories)

Om Gajaananaaya namah (Elephant-faced)

SRI RINA MOCHANA GANAPATI DHYAANAM

(meditation prayer to Ganapati, remover of debts & liabilities)

Paashaangkushan danta jambau

dadhaanah sphatika prabhah

rattkaam shuko ganapatih

mude syad rina mochaka

(Roughly Translated)

Noose and goad in hand

Tusk-bearing and holding jambu fruits

Emanating ruddy crystalline brightness

Ganapati bestows joy by eliminating debts

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