108 Names of Ganesha (Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali)
श्री गणेश अष्टोत्तरशतनामावली
What is the Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali?
The Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a devotional garland of 108 names of Lord Ganesha, each offered as a short mantra in the form Om [name] Namah. A full recitation takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes and is used as a focused practice before starting new work, on Chaturthi, or any time a devotee wants to invoke Ganesha as the remover of obstacles.
The Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali gathers 108 names of the elephant-headed lord into a single garland, each name a small mantra offered as Om, the name, then Namah. It draws on his puranic identity as the son of Shiva and Parvati, the remover of obstacles, and Pratham Pujya, the deity worshipped first before any undertaking begins. This page gives every name in easy Roman script, the original Devanagari mantra, and a plain-English meaning, so you can chant with understanding. Hide the meanings for a distraction-free chant, enlarge the text, or print the whole garland for your puja.
All 108 Names of Ganesha with Meaning
Chant each line as it appears: Om, the name, then Namah. The Devanagari mantra sits under every English line, with its meaning below.
Om Gajananaya Namah
ॐ गजाननाय नमः।
He whose face is that of an elephant
Om Ganadhyakshaya Namah
ॐ गणाध्यक्षाय नमः।
Lord and commander of the celestial hosts
Om Vighnarajaya Namah
ॐ विघ्नराजाय नमः।
Sovereign over every obstacle, and over its removal
Om Vinayakaya Namah
ॐ विनायकाय नमः।
Supreme leader of all beings
Om Dvaimaturaya Namah
ॐ द्वैमातुराय नमः।
He who is born of two mothers
Om Dvimukhaya Namah
ॐ द्विमुखाय नमः।
He of two faces
Om Pramukhaya Namah
ॐ प्रमुखाय नमः।
The foremost deity among all of creation
Om Sumukhaya Namah
ॐ सुमुखाय नमः।
He of the gentle, radiant face
Om Kritine Namah
ॐ कृतिने नमः।
He who is creation itself, in living form
Om Supradipaya Namah
ॐ सुप्रदीपाय नमः।
The bright lamp that dispels the dark of ignorance
Om Sukhanidhaye Namah
ॐ सुखनिधये नमः।
Ocean of joy, giver of happiness
Om Suradhyakshaya Namah
ॐ सुराध्यक्षाय नमः।
Ruler over all the celestial gods
Om Surarighnaya Namah
ॐ सुरारिघ्नाय नमः।
Destroyer of the enemies of the gods
Om Mahaganapataye Namah
ॐ महागणपतये नमः।
Supreme and all-powerful lord
Om Manyaya Namah
ॐ मान्याय नमः।
Honored and revered across the universe
Om Mahakalaya Namah
ॐ महाकालाय नमः।
Master of time, and of death itself
Om Mahabalaya Namah
ॐ महाबलाय नमः।
Possessor of immense strength
Om Herambaya Namah
ॐ हेरम्बाय नमः।
Beloved son, cherished by his mother
Om Lambajatharaya Namah
ॐ लम्बजठराय नमः।
He of the large, generous belly
Om Hrasvagrivaya Namah
ॐ ह्रस्वग्रीवाय नमः।
He of the short neck
Om Mahodaraya Namah
ॐ महोदराय नमः।
He of the vast belly
Om Madotkataya Namah
ॐ मदोत्कटाय नमः।
Ever free and unrestrained in spirit
Om Mahaviraya Namah
ॐ महावीराय नमः।
The greatly valiant and courageous one
Om Mantrine Namah
ॐ मन्त्रिणे नमः।
Master and knower of every sacred mantra
Om Mangalasvaraya Namah
ॐ मङ्गलस्वराय नमः।
He whose very voice is auspicious
Om Pramadhaya Namah
ॐ प्रमधाय नमः।
The root from which every element of creation arises
Om Prathamaya Namah
ॐ प्रथमाय नमः।
He who is worshipped first, before all others
Om Prajnaya Namah
ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः।
The supremely wise and intelligent one
Om Vighnakartre Namah
ॐ विघ्नकर्त्रे नमः।
He who places obstacles in the path
Om Vighnahartre Namah
ॐ विघ्नहर्त्रे नमः।
He who clears every obstacle away
Om Vishvanetre Namah
ॐ विश्वनेत्रे नमः।
He who watches over the whole of creation
Om Viratpataye Namah
ॐ विराट्पतये नमः।
Lord of the vast, boundless universe
Om Shripataye Namah
ॐ श्रीपतये नमः।
Bestower of good fortune
Om Vakpataye Namah
ॐ वाक्पतये नमः।
Lord and master of speech
Om Shringarine Namah
ॐ शृङ्गारिणे नमः।
He adorned with sacred red vermillion
Om Ashritavatsalaya Namah
ॐ अश्रितवत्सलाय नमः।
Compassionate protector of all who take refuge in him
Om Shivapriyaya Namah
ॐ शिवप्रियाय नमः।
Most beloved of Lord Shiva
Om Shighrakarine Namah
ॐ शीघ्रकारिणे नमः।
He who swiftly answers every prayer
Om Shashvataya Namah
ॐ शाश्वताय नमः।
The eternal, unchanging one
Om Balaya Namah
ॐ बलाय नमः।
Strength itself, given form
Om Balotthitaya Namah
ॐ बलोत्थिताय नमः।
He whose strength is ever growing
Om Bhavatmajaya Namah
ॐ भवात्मजाय नमः।
Worshipped as a son born of all creation
Om Puranapurushaya Namah
ॐ पुराणपुरुषाय नमः।
The primeval being, keeper of the Puranas
Om Pushne Namah
ॐ पूष्णे नमः।
Nourisher and sustainer of all beings
Om Pushkarotshiptavarine Namah
ॐ पुष्करोत्षिप्तवारिणे नमः।
He who plays joyfully in lotus-filled waters
Om Agraganyaya Namah
ॐ अग्रगण्याय नमः।
Foremost among all the celestial beings
Om Agrapujyaya Namah
ॐ अग्रपूज्याय नमः।
Worshipped first, before every other deity
Om Agragamine Namah
ॐ अग्रगामिने नमः।
He who leads the way and guides all forward
Om Mantrakrite Namah
ॐ मन्त्रकृते नमः।
Composer of sacred mantras
Om Chamikaraprabhaya Namah
ॐ चामीकरप्रभाय नमः।
Radiant as the sun's own glow
Om Sarvaya Namah
ॐ सर्वाय नमः।
He who is present within all of creation
Om Sarvopasyaya Namah
ॐ सर्वोपास्याय नमः।
Worshipped and revered by all
Om Sarvakartre Namah
ॐ सर्वकर्त्रे नमः।
Doer and controller of every action
Om Sarvanetre Namah
ॐ सर्वनेत्रे नमः।
He who watches over the entire universe
Om Sarvasiddhipradaya Namah
ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय नमः।
Bestower of every kind of accomplishment
Om Siddhaye Namah
ॐ सिद्धये नमः।
The perfected one, accomplishment itself
Om Panchahastaya Namah
ॐ पञ्चहस्ताय नमः।
He of five hands, four arms and his trunk
Om Parvatinandanaya Namah
ॐ पार्वतीनन्दनाय नमः।
Beloved son of Mother Parvati
Om Prabhave Namah
ॐ प्रभवे नमः।
The original source of all moving and unmoving creation
Om Kumaragurave Namah
ॐ कुमारगुरवे नमः।
Teacher and guide of Kumara Kartikeya
Om Akshobhyaya Namah
ॐ अक्षोभ्याय नमः।
The unshakeable, imperishable one
Om Kunjarasurabhanjanaya Namah
ॐ कुञ्जरासुरभञ्जनाय नमः।
Slayer of the demon Kunjarasura
Om Pramodaya Namah
ॐ प्रमोदाय नमः।
Ever joyful and content
Om Modakapriyaya Namah
ॐ मोदकप्रियाय नमः।
He to whom modaks are dearest
Om Kantimate Namah
ॐ कान्तिमते नमः।
He whose face carries a wondrous radiance
Om Dhritimate Namah
ॐ धृतिमते नमः।
Patient, steadfast, and full of quiet resolve
Om Kamine Namah
ॐ कामिने नमः।
Fulfiller of heartfelt desires
Om Kapitthapanasapriyaya Namah
ॐ कपित्थपनसप्रियाय नमः।
Fond of wood-apple and jackfruit offerings
Om Brahmacharine Namah
ॐ ब्रह्मचारिणे नमः।
Keeper of the vow of celibacy
Om Brahmarupine Namah
ॐ ब्रह्मरूपिणे नमः।
The very embodiment of Brahman
Om Brahmavidyadidanabhuve Namah
ॐ ब्रह्मविद्यादिदानभुवे नमः।
Source and giver of the highest sacred knowledge
Om Jishnave Namah
ॐ जिष्णवे नमः।
Ever victorious in every endeavor
Om Vishnupriyaya Namah
ॐ विष्णुप्रियाय नमः।
Beloved of Lord Vishnu
Om Bhaktajivitaya Namah
ॐ भक्तजीविताय नमः।
Protector of his devotees' very lives
Om Jitamanmathaya Namah
ॐ जितमन्मथाय नमः।
Master over mind and the senses
Om Aishvaryakaranaya Namah
ॐ ऐश्वर्यकारणाय नमः।
Source and giver of prosperity
Om Jyayase Namah
ॐ ज्यायसे नमः।
Supreme and greatest of all
Om Yakshakinnarasevitaya Namah
ॐ यक्षकिन्नरसेविताय नमः।
Served devotedly by yakshas and kinnaras
Om Gangasutaya Namah
ॐ गङ्गासुताय नमः।
Honored as a son of Mother Ganga
Om Ganadhishaya Namah
ॐ गणाधीशाय नमः।
Lord and leader of the ganas
Om Gambhiraninadaya Namah
ॐ गम्भीरनिनदाय नमः।
He whose voice resounds with deep, solemn sound
Om Vatave Namah
ॐ वटवे नमः।
He who appears in the form of a young ascetic
Om Abhishtavaradaya Namah
ॐ अभीष्टवरदाय नमः।
Grantor of every heartfelt wish
Om Jyotishe Namah
ॐ ज्योतिषे नमः।
Knower of the stars and the science of light
Om Bhaktanidhaye Namah
ॐ भक्तनिधये नमः।
The treasure and refuge of his devotees
Om Bhavagamyaya Namah
ॐ भावगम्याय नमः।
Attainable only through heartfelt devotion
Om Mangalapradaya Namah
ॐ मङ्गलप्रदाय नमः।
Bestower of auspiciousness in life
Om Avyaktaya Namah
ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः।
The unmanifest root from which creation arose
Om Aprakritaparakramaya Namah
ॐ अप्राकृतपराक्रमाय नमः।
He of matchless, extraordinary valor
Om Satyadharmine Namah
ॐ सत्यधर्मिणे नमः।
He who walks steadily on the path of truth
Om Sakhaye Namah
ॐ सखये नमः।
The true friend and companion of his devotees
Om Sarasambunidhaye Namah
ॐ सरसाम्बुनिधये नमः।
He to whom fresh durva grass is dear
Om Maheshaya Namah
ॐ महेशाय नमः।
Greatest among the gods, cherished son of Shiva
Om Divyangaya Namah
ॐ दिव्याङ्गाय नमः।
He whose every limb glows with divine light
Om Manikinkinimekhalaya Namah
ॐ मणिकिङ्किणीमेखलाय नमः।
Adorned with a girdle of jewels and tiny bells
Om Samastadevatamurtaye Namah
ॐ समस्तदेवतामूर्तये नमः।
He whom all the gods themselves worship
Om Sahishnave Namah
ॐ सहिष्णवे नमः।
Patient and forbearing by nature
Om Satatotthitaya Namah
ॐ सततोत्थिताय नमः।
Ever rising, ever progressing
Om Vighatakarine Namah
ॐ विघातकारिणे नमः।
Protector who shields his devotees from harm
Om Vishvagdrishe Namah
ॐ विश्वग्दृशे नमः।
He whose gaze watches over all the world's doings
Om Vishvarakshakrite Namah
ॐ विश्वरक्षाकृते नमः।
Protector and guardian of all creation
Om Kalyanagurave Namah
ॐ कल्याणगुरवे नमः।
The guru who brings wellbeing to those he teaches
Om Unmattaveshaya Namah
ॐ उन्मत्तवेषाय नमः।
Ever immersed in a state of divine bliss
Om Aparajite Namah
ॐ अपराजिते नमः।
The one who can never be defeated
Om Samastajagadadharaya Namah
ॐ समस्तजगदाधाराय नमः।
Supporter and foundation of the entire universe
Om Sarvaishvaryapradaya Namah
ॐ सर्वैश्वर्यप्रदाय नमः।
Bestower of every kind of wealth and prosperity
Om Akrantachidachitprabhave Namah
ॐ आक्रान्तचिदचित्प्रभवे नमः।
The source of all knowledge and intellect in creation
Om Shri Vighneshvaraya Namah
ॐ श्री विघ्नेश्वराय नमः।
He who destroys every obstacle, without exception
About the Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali
Compiling 108 names of a deity is one of the most common forms in Hindu devotional practice, and Ganesha’s own ashtottara shatanamavali is among the most widely recited of these lists. The number 108 itself is treated as sacred in Hindu tradition, tied to the count of beads on a japa mala, which is part of why ashtottara namavalis are so often chosen over shorter or longer lists.
This namavali draws on Ganesha’s puranic identity as the son of Shiva and Parvati, the elephant-headed remover of obstacles, and the deity worshipped first before any undertaking begins. Rather than narrating one story, it strings together epithets describing his form, his family, his temperament, and his role as Vighnaharta, the one who clears the way.
Ganesha holds a distinct place among Hindu deities as Pratham Pujya, the one worshipped first at the start of any ritual, journey, or new endeavor. The 108 names circle around this role, moving between his physical form, his wisdom, his fondness for modaks, and his power to place obstacles before some and remove them for others, depending on what is needed.
What separates a namavali from an aarti or a chalisa is its rhythm. Each name stands on its own, offered with Om and Namah, which turns the recitation into a steady, meditative practice rather than a story told from beginning to end. Devotees often take it up on Wednesdays, during Ganesha Chaturthi, or simply before starting something new.
How to Chant the 108 Names
- Prepare a clean space. Sit facing east, with a picture or murti of Ganesha before you, and light a diya or incense if that is part of your practice.
- Set aside 10 to 15 minutes. The full list of 108 names moves at a gentler pace than longer namavalis, so a short, quiet stretch of time is enough; morning or evening both work well.
- Begin with an invocation. Open with a short prayer to Ganesha, such as the Vakratunda Mahakaya mantra, before moving into the namavali itself.
- Chant each name clearly. Recite every Om [name] Namah at a steady, even pace, aloud or silently, letting the meaning of each name register rather than racing through the list.
- Close with gratitude. Finish with a moment of silence or a closing verse, and if you offered flowers, durva grass, or modaks with each name, gather and keep the offering respectfully afterward.
Benefits of Chanting
Ganesha is the deity turned to before anything new begins, and this garland is one of the most direct ways to do that. The benefits devotees most often describe are these:
- Clears obstacles at the start of new work, study, travel, or any undertaking, drawing on Ganesha’s own role as Vighnaharta.
- Steadies the mind and sharpens focus, reflecting the wisdom and discernment the names point to again and again.
- Builds patience and humility, echoing the same steady temperament the namavali attributes to Ganesha throughout.
- Deepens a sense of protection and auspicious beginnings, the role Ganesha is traditionally invoked for before any ritual or task.
- Supports a short daily devotional habit, since the full recitation fits comfortably into 10 to 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to chant the full Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali?
Reciting all 108 names at a steady, attentive pace usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. It is short enough to build into a daily routine, though many devotees reserve it especially for Wednesdays and Ganesha Chaturthi.
What is the best day or time to chant it?
Wednesday is traditionally associated with Ganesha, making it a common day for this recitation. Ganesha Chaturthi and the days of the festival are also considered especially fitting, along with the start of any new venture.
Can I chant the names in English instead of Sanskrit?
Yes, a transliterated version is perfectly acceptable if Sanskrit pronunciation feels unfamiliar, since sincerity and attention matter more than exact phonetics. Many devotees begin with transliteration and move toward the Sanskrit sounds as they grow more comfortable.
How is this different from the Ganesha Chalisa?
The Ganesha Chalisa is a verse hymn that narrates Ganesha's deeds and qualities in a connected form, usually recited in a few minutes. The Ashtottara Shatanamavali instead lists 108 separate names, each honored on its own, making it a slightly longer, more meditative practice rather than a narrative hymn.
Do I need any special preparation before starting?
No initiation or formal ritual is required, just a clean space, a calm mind, and about 15 minutes of uninterrupted time. Keeping a simple offering of durva grass, flowers, or modaks nearby is a supportive custom for many devotees, not a strict requirement.
Can anyone recite this namavali, regardless of gender or training?
Yes, namavali recitation is open to anyone with sincere devotion, with no restriction based on gender or prior training. It is generally treated as a personal devotional practice rather than a priest-led ritual.
ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः · May Ganesha clear every obstacle from your path and bless your new beginnings.