From August 27 to September 6 this year, Ganapati Navaratri is celebrated.
It is believed that Lord Ganapati was manifested on the Chaturthi day of the Bhadrapada Shuddha month, and hence, it has become a tradition to worship Vinayaka, the Lord of Obstacles, with utmost devotion on this day. Although there are many stories associated with the celebration of Vinayaka Chaturthi, the festival gained widespread popularity during the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji. This sacred occasion is observed across India with devotion, including Ganapathi Navarathri in Srividya tradition, where worship is performed with unique rituals and practices.

Sri Vidya Perspective

From a Sri Vidya perspective, worshiping  Maha Ganapati removes obstacles like doubt and fear from the Muladhara Chakra, leading to intelligence, skillfulness, and concentration.
In his complete form as Vallabha Ganapati, he holds ten weapons in his ten hands and embraces Siddha Lakshmi with his left hand, providing protection in various ways.

Significance of the Weapons

1. Pomegranate fruit – symbolizes cultivation of seeds of devotion within us.
2. Mace – grants strength to face challenges.
3. Sugarcane bow – ensures uninterrupted flow of Kundalini energy through Sushumna Nadi.
4. Trident – helps achieve equilibrium between past, present, and future.
5. Discus – protects us from enemies.
6. Noose – binds us to duties and attachments while maintaining Dharma.
7. Blue lotus – helps transcend illusions of worldly existence and guides toward liberation.
8. Paddy stalk – enhances creative energy.
9. Broken tusk – fosters spiritual wisdom.
10. Siddha Lakshmi (embraced by the tenth hand) – bestows accomplishment of all endeavors.

Additionally: The full pot of jewels held by his trunk symbolizes fulfillment of life and eternal satisfaction.

Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Procedure

• Wake up early, perform ritual bath, and morning duties.
• Clean a spacious room facing the eastern direction.
• Decorate with rangavalli (colored patterns).
• Place a platform, cover with a new cloth, and spread rice (seeds of devotion).
• Chant Lakshmi Ganapati mantra or simple mantra “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha.”
• Place a bamboo arch, decorate with fruits (wood apple, grapes, bananas, apples, custard apples, corn cobs) and marigolds, symbolizing Nandana Vana (divine garden).
• Place a clay idol of Vinayaka under the arch, adorned with sacred thread, sandal paste, ornaments.          (Clay idol = Ganapati as presiding deity of Muladhara Chakra/earth).

Perform ShodashaUpachara (16 offerings).
For Ekavimshati Puja (21 offerings), worship with different leaves (educational purpose for children – botany).

21 Sacred Leaves for Puja

1. Machipatra
2. Brihatipatra (Aegle marmelos)
3. Bilvapatra (Bilva leaves)
4. Durvayugma (Grass)
5. Datura leaves (Datura stramonium)
6. Badaripatra (Jujube leaves)
7. Apamarga leaves (Achyranthes aspera)
8. Vatapatra (Banyan leaves)
9. Chutapatra (Mango leaves)
10. Karaveera leaves (Oleander leaves)
11. Vishnukranta leaves (Clitoriaternatea leaves)
12. Dadimi leaves (Pomegranate leaves)
13. Devadaru leaves (Deodar leaves)
14. Maruvaka leaves (Sweet marjoram leaves)
15. Sindhuvara leaves (Vitex negundo leaves)
16. Jaji leaves (Jasmine leaves)
17. Gandaki leaves (Thatching grass leaves)
18. Shami leaves (Prosopis cineraria leaves)
19. Ashwattha leaves (Peepal leaves)
20. Arjuna leaves (Arjuna tree leaves)
21. Arka leaves (Calotropis leaves)

Each leaf is offered with a corresponding mantra.
Some release milky sap (absorbed through skin → nourishes nerves).
Medicinal properties purify lungs and relieve respiratory ailments.

Durvayugma Puja (Grass Offering)

• Perform with 21 mantras.
• Reason: Durva = elephant’s food. Since Vinayaka = Gajamukha, grass offering is natural.
• Legend:Analaasura (son of Yama Dharma Raja) burned all three worlds. Ganapati swallowed him → stomach burned → only Durva puja cooled him.
• Belief: Durva Puja enhances family peace.

Food Offerings (Naivedya)

• Modak
• Kudumulu
• Chalimi
• Panakam
• Variety of fruits

(All symbolize life satisfaction).

Associated Story

• Main story: Avoid looking at moon on Chaturthi → prevents slander.
• “Chandramā Manaso Jātāḥ” – Moon is presiding deity of Mind.
• Hence some wear moon symbol on their heads.
• Krishna and Dharmaraja performed Ganesh Chaturthi puja → importance highlighted.

Ganapati Navaratri Observance

• Best to observe 9 days (Chaturthi to Navami) instead of only one day.

Daily:

• ShodashaUpachara Puja (morning & evening).
• Offer Naivedya.
• Optionally: Ganapati Tarpana, Yantra Puja, Homa.

Ganapati Homa (Ashtadravya Homa)

8 ingredients offered with ghee:

• Beaten rice
• Coconut pieces
• Sugarcane pieces (peeled)
• Jaggery pieces
• Grass
• Modaks
• Banana pieces
• Sandalwood

Conclusion & Immersion

• On the ninth day, immerse Ganapati idol in clean river/sea on Tuesday or Friday.
• Do not throw/break idol. Perform with reverence.

🙏 Blessings

We pray that everyone who reads this will celebrate Ganapathi Navarathri in Srividya tradition with devotion and reverence, receive Ganapati’s grace, overcome all obstacles, and achieve overall prosperity!

Śrī Mātre Namaḥa