Vakratunda Mahakaya
The invocation of Ganesh before any beginning
वक्रतुण्ड महाकायसूर्यकोटि समप्रभनिर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देवसर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा
vakratuṇḍa mahākāyasūryakoṭi samaprabhanirvighnaṃ kuru me devasarva-kāryeṣu sarvadā
What does the Vakratunda Mahakaya mean?
O curved-trunk one, great of body, radiant as ten million suns — make my undertakings free of obstacles, always and in all things. Ganesh is invoked first in every Vedic rite, which is why this verse opens so many ceremonies.
When it is chanted
Before starting a business, moving into a house, beginning study or travel, and at the opening of any other puja.
Ganesh and obstacle-removal pujas
Performed at the temple by a verified pandit, with the sankalp in your name and gotra.
See these pujas