Ganesh Chaturthi 2022: Different Names of Lord Ganesha and Their Meanings That Will Surprise You

GANESH CHATURTHI 2022: One of the most-awaited festival, Ganesh Chaturthi is just round the corner. The celebrations will start  today on August 31 and end on Anant Chaturdashi, September 9. Just as Ganesh Chaturthi is popularly also called as Vināyaka Chaturthī, or Vinayaka Chaviti, the deity too has multiple names. It may sound surprising, but Lord Ganesha has 108 names.

The name Ganesha is a compound Sanskrit word which means ‘lord’ (isha) of a ‘multitude of people’ (gana). Likewise, the name ‘Ganapati’ (or Ganadhyakshaya) by which the Shiv-Parvati son is commonly known, also means the same. However, if we try and dig a little deeper, there is a whole list of names that we didn’t even know existed.

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As a matter of fact, Ganesha who is the lord of wisdom and good fortune is known to be addressed by 108 names.

Most uncommon names of Lord Ganesha!

1. AlampataOne who is forever eternal
2. BalaganapatiBeloved and lovable child
3. DhoomravarnaSmoke; Hued Lord
4. EshanputraSon of Lord Shiva
5. GuninaThe Lord of Virtues
6. GanadhakshyaThe lord of Lords
7. HaridraOne who is golden coloured
8. HerambaMother’s beloved son
9. KirtiLord of music
10. ManomayThe winners of hearts
11. MahabalaThe one who is enormously strong
12. NadapratithishtaOne who appreciates and loves music
13. OmkaraOne who has the form of Om
14. PurushThe omnipotent personality
15. RaktaOne who has a red coloured body
16. SiddhidhataBestower of accomplishments and success
17. TarunThe one that is ageless
18. UddandaNemesis of evils and vices
19. VidyavaridhiGod of wisdom
20. VigneshwaraLord of all obstacles
21. YogadhipaThe Lord of meditation

HERE’S A LOOK AT 8 COMMON NAMES OF LORD GANESHA:

1. GajananThe elephant-headed god is known by this name as he is the one with the elephant’s (gaja) face (anan); just as the name suggests. According to the Mudgala Purana, Gajanan is Ganesha’s eighth avatar to whom Lobhasura had surrendered.
2. Vighnaharta‘Vighna’ implies troubles while ‘harta’ means one who removes. Ganesha is often addressed by this name that suggests the divine power which Ganesha embodies, that is the ability to remove problems and sufferings from the devotees’ lives.
3. VinayakaThis is another name of ‘Gaurisuta’ (Gauri’s son) that is similar to Vighnaharta. It means one who is the master at removing all hindrances.
4. BhalchandraThe name derives its significance from the avatar of Ganesha (Bala/child) who carries chandra (moon) on his forehead. Brahmanda Purana states that Ganesha rescued Chandra from Darbhi saint’s curse when as a boy he took pity and wore moon as tilak on his forehead.
5. EkadantaThe single-tusked Ganesha has one half broken tooth and hence the name ‘eka’ (one), ‘danta’ (tooth). The legend says that Parashuram got angry and chipped one of Ganesha’s teeth when the latter tried to stop him from meeting Shiva.
6. VakratundaThis is Ganesha’s first incarnation that means curved (vakra) trunk (tunda). He helped regain the lost kingdom of gods by conquering the demon Matsara.
7. LambodaraIt literally means the one with a huge belly. According to Mudgala Purana, Ganesha in Lambodara avatar protected the gods from the troublesome Krodhasura.
8. KrishnapingakshaIt means dark complexion (krishna), smoky (pinga), eyes (aksha). Ganesha who can see everything through earth and clouds and deliver everyone from pain.

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