Ganesha Chaturthi Mantra Japa Program
Updated: Sep 3
Hello everyone. This year's practice will start on Sunday 13 September and last until Friday 25 September, 2026. Take this time to plan for your practice. This program is free for all participants and takes place through a private WhatsApp group.
Goal
To chant at least one mala of your favorite Ganesha Mantra or the daily Ganesha Mantra for 12 consecutive days. Each day check the WhatsApp group for the daily Chant and the reflection based on one of the 108 names of Ganesha.
Start and End Dates
We will start on Sunday 13 September until Friday 25 September. This will be 12 days of consecutive practice.
How To Join:
To join the English Cohort: Email Ramdasbill@outlook.com and he will send you the links to join the WhatsApp groups.
To join the Spanish Cohort: Email Esther Rodriguez Bown at admin@egofriendlyliving.com and she will send you the links to join the group.
To join the Chinese Cohort: Contact Sivani at Wechat: Light108Sivani and she will send you the links to join the group.
The Japanese Cohort is moderated by Keiko Shanti via a private FaceBook group.
WhatsApp Groups
The English Cohort has 2 WhatsApp groups. The first is the Silent group where the Moderators post the daily reflection and the Second is the Interactive group which, in addition to seeing the daily posts, also allows participants to chat with each other about the practice and share support with each other. You can join one or both of these groups.
Ganesha Chaturthi Schedule
Sun 13 Sep Opening Message — Clay, Water & the Meaning of Visarjan
Mon 14 Sep Day 1 — गणेश Gaṇeśa (Sthāpanā + Ṣoḍaśa Nāma Stotra)
Tue 15 Sep Day 2 — विनायक Vināyaka
Wed 16 Sep Day 3 — विघ्नहर्ता Vighnahartā
Thu 17 Sep Day 4 — गजानन Gajānana
Fri 18 Sep Day 5 — लम्बोदर Lambodhara
Sat 19 Sep Day 6 — एकदन्त Ekadanta
Sun 20 Sep Day 7 — सिद्धिविनायक Siddhivinayaka
Mon 21 Sep Day 8 — विघ्नेश्वर Vighneśvara
Tue 22 Sep Day 9 — वक्रतुण्ड Vakratuṇḍa
Wed 23 Sep Day 10 — धूम्रवर्ण Dhūmravarṇa
Thu 24 Sep Day 11 — हेरम्ब Heramba
Fri 25 Sep Day 12 — Gaṇapati Bappā Morayā (Visarjan)
How to count your Japa
You can use a Rudraksha or other mala if you have one and know how to use it. Using a mala takes your mind off counting how many times you have chanted. You may also consider keeping a simple journal to track your daily progress. This way you can ensure that you don’t miss a day.
Duration
Traditionally, the Ganesha Chaturthi observance lasts 10 days, but this year it extends to 12 days because the lunar Tithi does not align exactly with the solar calendar. According to Panditji, “Ganesh Ji is installed on Chaturthi Tithi and his Visarjan is done on Anant Chaturdashi.” Anant Chaturdashi is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and falls on the Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi, the day when Visarjan is celebrated.
Visarjan is the ritual of immersing a deity's idol in water at the end of a festival, symbolizing the respectful farewell and release of the divine presence. It signifies the impermanence of physical forms and the return of the divine to its formless, eternal state. This practice is commonly observed during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri, emphasizing detachment and renewal.
We encourage you to chant every day. If you miss a day, you can chant twice on another day to catch up if that feels comfortable for you. The purpose of this program is to support everyone in their Mantra Japa practice, so remember that any day with Japa is better than a day without Japa.
When to chant
Ganesha is lord lord of gateways, so chanting in the morning after taking your bath and wearing fresh clothing is ideal. To chant at the same location around the same time of the day is recommended but if you can’t, it is okay to do it when/where you like.
Donation (optional and highly recommended):
We have established a GoFundMe site to thank Panditji as he supports us through this Mantra Japa Practice. You can donate at https://gofund.me/cf43e2e6f . All proceeds will be sent to Pandit Yogesh and to the Temple in Chandigarh.
Please note that you can adjust the GoFundMe Tip amount at the top of the last screen by moving the green slider to the left or right. This Tip goes to support the GoFundMe platform which is free for fundraisers like our group to use. The tip money does not go to the fundraiser (our group).
Define your Practice
Here are some suggestions you may want to consider as you develop your daily practice.
Your Asana: You can choose to sit on a cushion or in a chair, in either case, you should be sure that you are comfortable and there is a slight curve at the base of your spine to allow your chest and shoulders to be open and relaxed.
Take your seat and breathe for a moment to settle into the moment.
When you are focused, you can begin your practice with the bija Mantra for Ganesha Om Gam Ganapataye Namah or you can chant the mantra of the day.
As you end your Mantra practice, take a moment to be still and receive the fruits of your efforts.
Then you can close by chanting:
Manthra Heenam, Kriyaa Heenam, Bakthi Heenam, Ya Math Poojitham, Ganapati, Pari Poornam Thadasthu Me. OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Meaning: Oh Ganapathi kindly rectify and complete properly any errors or deficiency in my pronunciation, or in my devotion or in my performance of the puja ritual.
Mantra Options
For this practice you will have a unique mantra for each day. It is good to set aside a moment to practice the mantra a few times before you start the japa. Also, If the daily mantras are too confusing, please select one on the following Mantras for daily repetition:
1. Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha (ॐ गं गणपतये नमः) — Beginner
The core Ganesha mantra. Short bija mantra, easy to hold in a mala practice.
2. Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat
(ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डय धीमहि तन्नो दन्ति प्रचोदयत्) — Intermediate
This is the Ganesha Gayatri mantra. It follows the classic Gayatri structure: “We meditate on the one with a single tusk (Ekadanta), we contemplate the one with the curved trunk (Vakratunda), may that tusked one guide our intellect.”
3. Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada (वक्रतुण् महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ, निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा) — Longer sloka
“O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty form, whose brilliance equals a million suns — please make all my endeavors free of obstacles, always.” This is the classic invocation before beginning any task or undertaking, and one of the most recognized Ganesha slokas in India.
Optional: Daily Home Puja to Clay Ganapati Idol for Visarjan
In addition to the Mantra Japa practice you may want to purchase a clay Ganapati Idol to use in the daily home worship for 12 days and then submerge in natural running water on the 12th day. You may check your local Temples or Indian Grocery stores and see if they are available. They are also available on Amazon in the US. Search your local area for "Clay Ganapati Idol for Visarjan"
A Simple Daily Ritual for Clay Gaṇapati (12‑Day Cycle)
1. A Quiet Arrival (Morning)
Sit before the mūrti for a moment of stillness. Let the day “arrive” around Gaṇeśa. No elaborate setup is needed — just presence.
2. Light a Single Lamp
Offer one small dīpa (or even a battery tea‑light if preferred). The flame represents clarity, discernment, and the removal of inner obstacles.
3. Offer Water
Place a small bowl of clean water before him. This is the simplest form of tarpana — acknowledging that the mūrti is made of earth and will return to water.
4. Offer One Simple Item
Choose one of the following each day:
a flower
a leaf
a piece of fruit
a pinch of akṣata (uncooked rice)
or simply your folded hands
The offering is symbolic — the devotion is the real substance.
5. Chant One Name of Gaṇeśa
Each day, speak one of the twelve names you are working with. Let that name be the “theme” of the day. Say it aloud once or three times or 108 times as Japa.
6. A Short Prayer of Intention
Speak from your heart:
gratitude
a request for clarity
or simply “Gaṇapati Bappā Morayā” meaning “Beloved Lord Gaṇeśa, come near!” or “Hail to Gaṇeśa, our beloved!”
This keeps the ritual personal and alive.
7. Close with Stillness
Sit for one minute in silence. Let the presence of the form settle into your awareness.
Evening (Optional)
If you wish, light the lamp again for a moment and simply say: “Thank you for today.”
No other action is required.
On the 12th Day (Visarjan)
Because you have kept the ritual simple and gentle, the immersion feels natural. Place the idol in clean flowing water and allow it to dissolve naturally. You have honored the form without clinging to it. You have practiced the teaching daily: form arises, form dissolves, devotion remains.
Note: Please check local regulations before placing the idol in any natural water source as it may not be allowed. Alternatively, you can use a new bucket that is filled with clean water to immerse the idol and allow it to dissolve. Then you can you use this empowered water to nourish your garden or offer it at the foot a of tree.
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