गणेश चालीसा
Ganesh Chalisa
Composed by Traditional · All Chalisas
The Ganesh Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Lord Ganesha — the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, remover of obstacles (vighnaharta), patron of beginnings, and the first deity invoked before any sacred or auspicious work. From weddings to business openings to the first day of school, Ganesha is the threshold guardian whose blessing makes the path passable.
Recited daily by many households at dawn, the Ganesh Chalisa is most powerfully chanted during Ganesh Chaturthi — the ten-day festival in Bhadrapada (August–September) that celebrates his birth. Devotees install Ganesha murtis at home, recite the Chalisa morning and evening, and immerse the murti at the festival's close as a symbol of letting go.
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Opening Doha
Doha 1
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल।
विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल॥
Jai Ganapati sadgun sadan, kavivar badan kripal.
Vighna haran mangal karan, jai jai Girijalal.
Victory to Ganapati, abode of virtues and compassionate patron of poets. Remover of obstacles and maker of auspiciousness, victory to Girija's son.
Chaupais (40)
Chaupai 1
जय जय जय गणपति गणराजू।
मंगल भरण करण शुभ काजू॥
Jai jai jai Ganapati Ganaraju.
Mangal bharan karan shubh kaju.
Victory to Ganapati, king of the ganas, who fills life with auspiciousness and completes sacred work.
Chaupai 2
जै गजबदन सदन सुखदाता।
विश्व विनायक बुद्धि विधाता॥
Jai Gajbadan sadan sukhdata.
Vishwa Vinayak buddhi vidhata.
Victory to the elephant-faced giver of happiness, universal Vinayaka and bestower of wisdom.
Chaupai 3
वक्र तुण्ड शुचि शुण्ड सुहावन।
तिलक त्रिपुण्ड भाल मन भावन॥
Vakra tund shuchi shund suhavan.
Tilak tripund bhal man bhavan.
Your curved trunk is pure and beautiful; the tripundra mark on your forehead delights the mind.
Chaupai 4
राजत मणि मुक्तन उर माला।
स्वर्ण मुकुट शिर नयन विशाला॥
Rajat mani muktan ur mala.
Swarn mukut shir nayan vishala.
Gems and pearls shine as a garland on your chest; a golden crown rests on your head, and your eyes are vast.
Chaupai 5
पुस्तक पाणि कुठार त्रिशूलं।
मोदक भोग सुगन्धित फूलं॥
Pustak pani kuthar trishulam.
Modak bhog sugandhit phoolam.
In your hands are a book, axe, and trident; modak and fragrant flowers are offered to you.
Chaupai 6
सुन्दर पीताम्बर तन साजित।
चरण पादुका मुनि मन राजित॥
Sundar pitambar tan sajit.
Charan paduka muni man rajit.
Your form is adorned in yellow garments, and your sacred sandals captivate the minds of sages.
Chaupai 7
धनि शिव सुवन षडानन भ्राता।
गौरी ललन विश्व-विख्याता॥
Dhani Shiv suvan Shadanan bhrata.
Gauri lalan vishwa-vikhyata.
Blessed son of Shiva and brother of Kartikeya, beloved child of Gauri, famed throughout the world.
Chaupai 8
ऋद्धि-सिद्धि तव चंवर सुधारे।
मूषक वाहन सोहत द्वारे॥
Riddhi-Siddhi tav chanvar sudhare.
Mooshak vahan sohat dware.
Riddhi and Siddhi attend you with fans, while your mouse vehicle shines at your doorway.
Chaupai 9
कहौ जन्म शुभ कथा तुम्हारी।
अति शुचि पावन मंगलकारी॥
Kahau janm shubh katha tumhari.
Ati shuchi pavan mangalkari.
Let me tell the auspicious story of your birth, supremely pure, holy, and blessing-giving.
Chaupai 10
एक समय गिरिराज कुमारी।
पुत्र हेतु तप कीन्हा भारी॥
Ek samay Giriraj kumari.
Putra hetu tap keenha bhari.
Once, the daughter of the mountain king performed severe austerity to receive a son.
Chaupai 11
भयो यज्ञ जब पूर्ण अनूपा।
तब पहुंच्यो तुम धरि द्विज रूपा॥
Bhayo yagya jab poorn anoopa.
Tab pahunchyo tum dhari dvij roopa.
When the incomparable sacrifice was complete, you arrived there in the form of a Brahmin.
Chaupai 12
अतिथि जानि कै गौरी सुखारी।
बहुविधि सेवा करी तुम्हारी॥
Atithi jani kai Gauri sukhari.
Bahuvidhi seva kari tumhari.
Seeing you as a guest, Gauri was delighted and served you in many ways.
Chaupai 13
अति प्रसन्न हवै तुम वर दीन्हा।
मातु पुत्र हित जो तप कीन्हा॥
Ati prasanna havai tum var deenha.
Matu putra hit jo tap keenha.
Being greatly pleased, you granted the boon for the son for whom the Mother had performed austerity.
Chaupai 14
मिलहि पुत्र तुहि बुद्धि विशाला।
बिना गर्भ धारण यहि काला॥
Milahi putra tuhi buddhi vishala.
Bina garbh dharan yahi kala.
You blessed her with a son of vast wisdom, born at that moment without ordinary conception.
Chaupai 15
गणनायक गुण ज्ञान निधाना।
पूजित प्रथम रूप भगवाना॥
Gananayak gun gyan nidhana.
Poojit pratham roop Bhagwana.
He would be leader of the ganas, a treasury of virtue and knowledge, and worshipped first as a divine form.
Chaupai 16
अस कहि अन्तर्धान रूप हवै।
पालना पर बालक स्वरूप हवै॥
As kahi antardhan roop havai.
Palna par balak swaroop havai.
Saying this, you disappeared and appeared in the cradle as a child.
Chaupai 17
बनि शिशु रुदन जबहिं तुम ठाना।
लखि मुख सुख नहिं गौरी समाना॥
Bani shishu rudan jabahin tum thana.
Lakhi mukh sukh nahin Gauri samana.
When you cried as an infant, Gauri saw your face and overflowed with joy.
Chaupai 18
सकल मगन सुखमंगल गावहिं।
नभ ते सुरन सुमन वर्षावहिं॥
Sakal magan sukhmangal gavahin.
Nabh te suran suman varshavahin.
All were absorbed in happiness and sang auspicious songs; from the sky the gods showered flowers.
Chaupai 19
शम्भु उमा बहु दान लुटावहिं।
सुर मुनिजन सुत देखन आवहिं॥
Shambhu Uma bahu dan lutavahin.
Sur munijan sut dekhan avahin.
Shiva and Uma gave generous gifts, while gods and sages came to see the child.
Chaupai 20
लखि अति आनन्द मंगल साजा।
देखन भी आये शनि राजा॥
Lakhi ati anand mangal saja.
Dekhan bhi aaye Shani raja.
Seeing the joyful celebration, King Shani also came to behold the child.
Chaupai 21
निज अवगुण गुनि शनि मन माहीं।
बालक देखन चाहत नाहीं॥
Nij avgun guni Shani man mahin.
Balak dekhan chahat nahin.
Knowing the flaw of his own gaze, Shani did not wish to look at the child.
Chaupai 22
गिरिजा कछु मन भेद बढ़ायो।
उत्सव मोर न शनि तुहि भायो॥
Girija kachhu man bhed badhayo.
Utsav mor na Shani tuhi bhayo.
Girija felt hurt and wondered why Shani did not seem pleased by her celebration.
Chaupai 23
कहत लगे शनि मन सकुचाई।
का करिहौ शिशु मोहि दिखाई॥
Kahat lage Shani man sakuchai.
Ka karihau shishu mohi dikhai.
Shani spoke hesitantly: what will happen if I look upon the child?
Chaupai 24
नहिं विश्वास उमा उर भयऊ।
शनि सों बालक देखन कहयऊ॥
Nahin vishwas Uma ur bhayau.
Shani son balak dekhan kahyau.
Uma did not accept the warning and asked Shani to see the child.
Chaupai 25
पदतहिं शनि दृग कोण प्रकाशा।
बालक सिर उड़ि गयो अकाशा॥
Padtahin Shani drig kon prakasha.
Balak sir udi gayo akasha.
As soon as Shani's sidelong glance fell, the child's head flew into the sky.
Chaupai 26
गिरिजा गिरी विकल हवै धरणी।
सो दुःख दशा गयो नहीं वरणी॥
Girija giri vikal havai dharani.
So dukh dasha gayo nahin varani.
Girija fell to the ground in anguish; that grief cannot be described.
Chaupai 27
हाहाकार मच्यौ कैलाशा।
शनि कीन्हों लखि सुत को नाशा॥
Hahakar machyo Kailasha.
Shani keenhon lakhi sut ko nasha.
An outcry arose on Kailash: Shani's glance had destroyed the child.
Chaupai 28
तुरत गरुड़ चढ़ि विष्णु सिधायो।
काटि चक्र सो गज सिर लाये॥
Turat Garud chadhi Vishnu sidhayo.
Kati chakra so gaj sir laye.
Vishnu immediately mounted Garuda, cut an elephant's head with his discus, and brought it back.
Chaupai 29
बालक के धड़ ऊपर धारयो।
प्राण मन्त्र पढ़ि शंकर डारयो॥
Balak ke dhad upar dharayo.
Pran mantra padhi Shankar darayo.
The head was placed upon the child's body, and Shiva restored life with sacred mantras.
Chaupai 30
नाम गणेश शम्भु तब कीन्हे।
प्रथम पूज्य बुद्धि निधि वर दीन्हे॥
Naam Ganesh Shambhu tab keenhe.
Pratham poojya buddhi nidhi var deenhe.
Shambhu then named him Ganesh and granted the boon that he would be worshipped first and be a treasure of wisdom.
Chaupai 31
बुद्धि परीक्षा जब शिव कीन्हा।
पृथ्वी कर प्रदक्षिणा लीन्हा॥
Buddhi pareeksha jab Shiv keenha.
Prithvi kar pradakshina leenha.
When Shiva tested intelligence by asking for the earth to be circumambulated,
Chaupai 32
चले षडानन भरमि भुलाई।
रचे बैठ तुम बुद्धि उपाई॥
Chale Shadanan bharami bhulai.
Rache baith tum buddhi upai.
Kartikeya set off and became occupied in the journey, while you devised a wise solution.
Chaupai 33
चरण मातु-पितु के धर लीन्हें।
तिनके सात प्रदक्षिण कीन्हें॥
Charan matu-pitu ke dhar leenhen.
Tinke saat pradakshina keenhen.
You held your parents' feet and circumambulated them seven times.
Chaupai 34
धनि गणेश कही शिव हिये हरषे।
नभ ते सुरन सुमन बहु बरसे॥
Dhani Ganesh kahi Shiv hiye harashe.
Nabh te suran suman bahu barase.
Shiva rejoiced and praised you as blessed Ganesh, while the gods showered flowers from the sky.
Chaupai 35
तुम्हरी महिमा बुद्धि बड़ाई।
शेष सहसमुख सके न गाई॥
Tumhari mahima buddhi badai.
Shesh sahasmukh sake na gai.
Even thousand-mouthed Shesha cannot fully sing the greatness of your wisdom and glory.
Chaupai 36
मैं मतिहीन मलीन दुखारी।
करहूं कौन विधि विनय तुम्हारी॥
Main matiheen maleen dukhari.
Karahun kaun vidhi vinay tumhari.
I am foolish, impure, and sorrowful; how can I properly offer my prayer to you?
Chaupai 37
भजत रामसुन्दर प्रभुदासा।
जग प्रयाग ककरा दुर्वासा॥
Bhajat Ramsundar Prabhudasa.
Jag Prayag Kakra Durvasa.
Your servant Ramsundar worships you, remembering sacred Prayag, Kakra, and Durvasa.
Chaupai 38
अब प्रभु दया दीना पर कीजै।
अपनी शक्ति भक्ति कुछ दीजै॥
Ab Prabhu daya deena par kijai.
Apni shakti bhakti kuchh dijai.
Now, Lord, show compassion to this humble one and grant me some of your power and devotion.
Closing Doha
Closing
श्री गणेश यह चालीसा, पाठ करै कर ध्यान।
नित नव मंगल गृह बसै, लहे जगत सन्मान॥
सम्बन्ध अपने सहस्र दश, ऋषि पंचमी दिनेश।
पूरण चालीसा भयो, मंगल मूर्ती गणेश॥
Shri Ganesh yah Chalisa, paath karai kar dhyan.
Nit nav mangal griha basai, lahe jagat sanman.
Sambandh apne sahasra dash, Rishi Panchami Dinesh.
Pooran Chalisa bhayo, Mangal Murti Ganesh.
Whoever recites this Ganesh Chalisa with focus receives ever-new auspiciousness at home and honor in the world. This Chalisa was completed in praise of the auspicious form of Ganesh.
🪔 May this recitation bring peace and protection.
Conclude with a moment of silence. Distribute prasad if you have prepared it.
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Benefits of recitation
- •Recited before any new venture — business, journey, examination.
- •Believed to remove obstacles already manifest and prevent those yet to come.
- •Central to Ganesh Chaturthi sadhana.
- •Cultivates discernment — Ganesha is the lord of intellect (buddhi).
- •Recited on Wednesdays (his day) and on the Chaturthi tithi each month (Sankashti).
How to recite — traditional guidance
Best day
Wednesday, every Chaturthi tithi (Sankashti & Vinayaka), Ganesh Chaturthi
Best time
Early morning, ideally before any other work begins
How many paaths
1, 11, or 21 paaths — odd numbers preferred
- ·Offer modak (Ganesha's favourite sweet), durva grass, and red flowers.
- ·Place a small Ganesh murti or image; light a diya with ghee.
- ·Wear red or yellow.
- ·Begin with 'Om Gan Ganapataye Namah' three times.
- ·On Sankashti Chaturthi, fast through the day and break the fast after moonrise.
- ·Conclude with aarti and distribution of modak as prasad.
Common questions
Why is Ganesha invoked first in every ritual?
Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. Tradition holds that no work, sacred or worldly, succeeds until Ganesha grants passage — so every ritual, every wedding, every new venture begins with his invocation.
What is Sankashti Chaturthi?
Sankashti Chaturthi is the Chaturthi tithi in Krishna paksha (the waning fortnight) of each lunar month. Devotees fast through the day, recite the Ganesh Chalisa, and break the fast after sighting the moon. It is considered especially powerful for relieving sankat — difficulty or crisis.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August–September) and runs for ten days, ending with Anant Chaturdashi when the Ganesh murti is ceremonially immersed in water (visarjan).
Continue your practice
Verse text and verse order cross-checked against the Drik Panchang Shri Ganesh Chalisa; transliteration and English meanings prepared by Daanyam.