This is that time of the year when Ganesh Chaturthi fervor is in the air. Like every festival, Ganesh Chaturthi also has popular bhajans and songs associated with it. The first worshipped, the remover of obstacles is the favorite Devta across India. However, there is nothing like celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and Telangana. Here is a list of Best of the Ganpati Songs and Videos to celebrate with.
Besides India, the Ganesh influence can be found across East Asian countries like Japan (Hindu Deities and Indian culture in Japan), Thailand (Ratchaprasong walk – Hindu Deities in the heart of Bangkok), and Indonesia.
The meaningful lyrics from the Shlokas and by saints/poets, renditioned by the best of Indian Doyens of Music across the Indian languages, the traditional melodious music, and the devotional spirit that they create make these Ganpati Songs all-time great.
During our trip to Bishnupur in Bengal, we found this unique Panchmukhi Ganesh sculpture in stone potentially dating centuries back.
Read more about Bishnupur Terracotta Temples – Bengal Tourist Attractions
It will take considerable time to listen/watch all these bhajans with the attention that they deserve, consider bookmarking this page to listen to these Ganesh Stutis again and again.
Sanskrit Ganesh Aarti Songs – Ganpati songs
We selected Ganesh Aarti Songs from across the languages. It would be great if you listen to a few songs in languages other than yours too. This list includes Ganpati Songs from Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, and Kannada as well as a few selected instrumental ones. Have excluded film songs and the mix/modern instrumentals from this list. Otherwise, the list would be huge.
Read more about Gems of Mathura Museum – Mathura School of Art
Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje by Yesudas
Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje is a Sanskrit Kriti song by the South Indian poet – Muthuswami Dikshitar. It is the best-known piece of Muthuswami Dikshitar as well as the most popular composition of Carnatic music. The hymn is traditionally sung at the beginning of Carnatic music concerts. Composed over 2-3 hundred years ago in Tamil Nadu, the rendition by Yesudas Ji, with his booming voice, is perhaps one of the greatest contributions to the world of Music.
K J Yesudas is a doyen in Indian classical, devotional & cinematic songs. He has been awarded Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan & Padma Vibhushan.
Watch an hour-long melodious rendition of Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje by Yesudas here.
Versions of Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje by other Doyens of Indian Music World
- MS Subbulakshmi – Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje here. Legendary MS Subbulakshmi is the first musician awarded with Bharat Ratna, our highest civilian award. Well known for her contributions to Carnatic music.
- Dr. M Balamuralikrishna – Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje here. Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Balamuralikrishna is a doyen of Carnatic music.
- Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje – Ghantasala here. Padma Shri awardee Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao composer and playback singer is referred to as Gaana Gandharva.
- By S. Janaki here. Dr. Janaki is the best-known versatile playback-singers in South India. She has recorded several popular songs in several languages. Reportedly she refused the Padma Vibhushan award in 2013.
- Pt Ajoy Chakraborty – Vathapi Ganapathim Bajeham in Raga Hamsadhwani here. He is a renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist.
Instrumental versions of Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje
- On Mandolin By U. Srinivas here. Padma Shri awardee Srinivas was best-known as an Indian Mandolin player & composer in Carnatic Classical Music.
- Dr. Kadri Gapalnath on Saxophone here. Padma Shri awardee Dr. Kadri Gopalnath is one of the pioneers in Carnatic Music on Saxophone.
Shri Vighneshwar Suprabhatam – Ganpati songs
Listen to it here
Ganesh Mantra – Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah – 108 Times
Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha – Ganesh Pancharatnam by Sooryagayathri & Kuldeep M Pai
Ganesh Pancharatnam is a Shloka composed by Adi Sankaracharya centuries ago.
Sooryagayathri a child prodigy, is a sensation in Carnatic music on YouTube. Kuldeep Pai is a Carnatic music vocalist, composer, musician & producer.
Ganesha Shloka – Gajananam Bhoota Ganadhi Sevitam
Maha Ganapathim Manasa Smarami by Yesudas
Another famous composition by Muthuswami Dikshitar.
Marathi Ganpati Aarti Songs
Community celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi are rooted in the Indian Independence movement. Nationalist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak used the platform to invoke a sense of nationalism among the masses. Bal Gangadhar Tilak an Indian Nationalist, Teacher, Social Reformer, and Lawyer is among the first Indian Independence Movement. His slogan Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it used to reverberate during those days of Indian history. A couple of years ago I visited his hometown and the house he was born in Ratnagiri – Jewel of Konkan coast. And the neighboring town Ganpatipule is famous for the beachhead Lambodara Ganapati Temple.
No wonder, there are so many Ganesh Chaturthi Bhajans in Marathi. Maharashtra celebrates the Ganesh festival with gaiety. The largest cities Mumbai and Pune lead the celebrations in well-decorated public mandals & fervor. One should attend/visit the cities during the festivities to get a feel for themselves.
Read More – Shaniwar Wada and Peths of Pune
Pratham Tula Vandito by Vasantrao Deshpande, Anuradha Paudwal
Vasantrao Deshpande was a renowned Hindustani Classical Vocalist and a great performer of Natya Sangeet. Padma Shri awardee Anuradha Paudwal is a famous Indian playback singer.
Sukh Karta Dukh Harta – Ganpati songs
Sukh Karta Dukh Harta also spelled as Sukhakarta Dukhaharta is composed by saint Samarth Ramdas. Inspired by the Mayureshwara form of Ganesha, the saint composed the aarti song.
Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Didi well-respected and best-known playback singer and other popular artists have sung the following popular Marathi Ganpati Bhajans.
Tuz Magato Mee Aata
Gajanana Shri Ganraya – Ganpati songs
Utha Utha Ho Sakalik
Ganaraj Rangi Nachato
Jayadev Jayadev Jaya Mangala Murthi – Ganesh Aarti
Another version of Jai Dev, Jai Dev by Sadhana Sargam. A popular playback singer of Indian cinema and devotional songs, classical music, ghazals, and pop albums.
Hindi Ganpati Bhajan Song
Ganpati Bappa Morya
Vakratunda Mahakaya Shloka by Pandit Jasraj – Ganpati songs
Padma Bhushan & Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Jasraj is a popular Indian Classical Vocalist.
Kannada Ganpati Songs
Here are the popular songs in the Kannada language. They are melodious. Listen to the songs. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated widely in Karnataka perhaps next only to Maharashtra.
Gajamukhane Ganapathiye Ninage Vandane
This version is sung by Sarada Bhagavatula. Vijaya Narasimha is the Lyricist. The original singer of the song is S. Janaki.
Sharanu Sharanayya Benaka by P B Sreenivas
Dr. P B Sreenivas was a veteran playback singer in south Indian languages.
Bhadrapada Shuklada Chowtiyandu by Dr. P B Sreenivas & S. Janaki
Hyderabad in Telangana has caught up big time on Ganesh Chaturthi. I had an opportunity to experience the festival in Hyderabad. Do read my post on Ganesha and his Laddu – Ganesha Festival in Hyderabad.
Do let us know about popular devotional Ganpati Songs in other Indian Languages in your comments below. We will try to include some more in this compilation.
Thanks for sharing, will download these songs for my Mom.
wonderful, sir great job keep it and Thank for sharing with us
Thanks for writing about God Ganpati. Such wonderful work.
Thanks a million for such wonderful compilation of information, pictures and songs god bless you
Such a great religious article! Selection photographs are also beautiful.