Shri Ganesh Chalisa
श्री गणेश चालीसा · Ramsundar
The Ganesh Chalisa, in praise of Lord Ganesh: an opening doha, thirty-eight chaupais and two closing dohas. Below is the complete text in English letters, so you can recite it even if you don't read Hindi.
Doha
- 1
Jai Ganpati sadgun sadan, kavivar badan kripalVighna haran mangal karan, jai jai Girijalal
Chaupai
- 1
Jai jai jai Ganpati GanrajuMangal bharan karan shubh kaju
- 2
Jai Gajbadan sadan sukhdataVishva Vinayak buddhi vidhata
- 3
Vakra tund shuchi shund suhavanTilak tripund bhal man bhavan
- 4
Rajit mani muktan ur malaSvarn mukut shir nayan vishala
- 5
Pustak pani kuthar trishulamModak bhog sugandhit phulam
- 6
Sundar pitambar tan sajitCharan paduka muni man rajit
- 7
Dhani Shivsuvan Shadanan bhrataGauri lalan vishva-vikhyata
- 8
Riddhi siddhi tav chanvar sudhareMushak vahan sohat dvare
- 9
Kahau janm shubh katha tumhariAti shuchi pavan mangal kari
- 10
Ek samay Giriraj kumariPutra hetu tap kinha bhari
- 11
Bhayo yagya jab purn anupaTab pahunchyo tum dhari dvij rupa
- 12
Atithi jani kai Gauri sukhariBahu vidhi seva kari tumhari
- 13
Ati prasanna hvai tum var dinhaMatu putra hit jo tap kinha
- 14
Milahi putra tuhi buddhi vishalaBina garbh dharan yahi kala
- 15
Gannayak gun gyan nidhanaPujit pratham rup Bhagvana
- 16
As kahi antardhan rup hvaiPalna par balak svarup hvai
- 17
Bani shishu rudan jabahi tum thanaLakhi mukh sukh nahin Gauri samana
- 18
Sakal magan sukh mangal gavahinNabh te suran suman varshavahin
- 19
Shambhu Uma bahudan lutavahinSur muni jan sut dekhan avahin
- 20
Lakhi ati anand mangal sajaDekhan bhi ae Shani raja
- 21
Nij avagun guni Shani man mahinBalak dekhan chahat nahin
- 22
Girija kachhu man bhed badhayoUtsav mor na Shani tuhi bhayo
- 23
Kahan lage Shani man sakuchaiKa karihau shishu mohi dikhai
- 24
Nahin vishvas Uma ur bhayauShani son balak dekhan kahyau
- 25
Padatahin Shani drig kon prakashaBalak shir udi gayo akasha
- 26
Girija girin vikal hvai dharaniSo dukh dasha gayo nahin varani
- 27
Hahakar machyo KailashaShani kinhyon lakhi sut ko nasha
- 28
Turat Garud chadhi Vishnu sidhaeKati chakra so gaj shir lae
- 29
Balak ke dhad upar dharyoPran mantra padhi Shankar daryo
- 30
Nam Ganesh Shambhu tab kinhePratham pujya buddhi nidhi var dinhe
- 31
Buddhi pariksha jab Shiv kinhaPrithvi kar pradakshina linha
- 32
Chale Shadanan bharami bhulaiRachi baith tum buddhi upai
- 33
Charan matu-pitu ke dhar linhenTinke sat pradakshin kinhen
- 34
Dhani Ganesh kahi Shiv hiy harasheNabh te suran suman bahu barase
- 35
Tumhari mahima buddhi badaiShesh sahas mukh sakai na gai
- 36
Main mati hin malin dukhariKarahun kaun bidhi vinay tumhari
- 37
Bhajat Ramsundar PrabhudasaJag Prayag Kakra Durvasa
- 38
Ab Prabhu daya din par kijaiApni shakti bhakti kuchh dijai
Doha
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Also read
What is the Ganesh Chalisa?
The Ganesh Chalisa is a hymn in praise of Lord Ganesh, describing his form, the story of his birth and his greatness. Its language is Hindi close to Awadhi. One chaupai names the poet, ‘Bhajat Ramsundar Prabhudasa’, so it is regarded as the work of Ramsundar.
The standard text has one opening doha, thirty-eight chaupais and two closing dohas. The name ‘Chalisa’ (forty) is traditional, even though this text has fewer than forty chaupais.
The story told in the chalisa
The chaupais tell Ganesh's birth in order: Mother Parvati's penance for a son, Ganesh appearing as a child, Shani's glance making the child's head fly off, Lord Vishnu bringing an elephant's head, and Shiva naming him ‘Ganesh’ and blessing him to be worshipped first.
Then comes the test of wisdom: Kartikeya sets off to circle the earth, while Ganesh circles his parents seven times and wins. This is why he is honoured as the lord of wisdom and worshipped first at every auspicious beginning.
How to recite the Ganesh Chalisa
- Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit before a picture or idol of Ganesh.
- Light a diya and offer durva grass, red flowers and modak or laddoos.
- If you like, first chant ‘Om Gam Ganapataye Namah’.
- Recite the whole text, from the opening doha to the closing dohas, then sing the Ganesh aarti.
When and how many times to recite it
It is traditional to remember Ganesh at the start of any good work. Wednesday is considered Ganesh's day, and the chalisa is recited specially on each month's Chaturthi, especially Sankashti Chaturthi, and on Ganesh Chaturthi.
Once a day is enough. As a sankalp, people also recite it 11, 21 or 108 times; use the paath counter above to keep count.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Ganesh Chalisa?
One chaupai names the poet: ‘Bhajat Ramsundar Prabhudasa’, so it is regarded as the work of Ramsundar. Its last doha says it was completed on Rishi Panchami.
How many chaupais are there in the Ganesh Chalisa?
The standard text has one doha, thirty-eight chaupais and two closing dohas. The name ‘Chalisa’ is traditional.
When should I read the Ganesh Chalisa?
At any time, especially before starting something new. Wednesdays, Sankashti and Vinayak Chaturthi, and Ganesh Chaturthi are considered especially auspicious.
How many times should I read the Ganesh Chalisa?
One complete recitation is enough. As a sankalp, people recite it 11, 21 or 108 times.
What are the benefits of reading the Ganesh Chalisa?
Devotees believe it removes obstacles from their work and improves wisdom and focus. The chalisa itself says: ‘Nit nav mangal grih basai, lahe jagat sanman’ (new blessings fill the home every day, and one gains respect in the world). This is a matter of faith.
Can children read the Ganesh Chalisa?
Yes. Ganesh is honoured as the lord of wisdom and learning, so many families have children recite it before starting their studies.
What should be offered to Lord Ganesh?
Durva grass, red flowers, sindoor, and modak or boondi laddoos. By tradition, tulsi is not offered in Ganesh puja.
What should I do after the Ganesh Chalisa?
Sing the Ganesh aarti, ‘Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva’, and share the prasad.
Can I read the Ganesh Chalisa in Hindi or my own script?
Yes. Use the Language menu to switch between Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and Odia. The words stay the same, only the script changes, and the page keeps your place.
This text has been checked word for word against several published sources. Spotted a mistake? Please let us know.