Urdhva Ganapati, 16th form of Ganesha
Urdhva Ganapati is the sixteenth of the 32 forms of Lord Ganapati. Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular Hindu God worshipped in India and is believed to be the remover of all obstacles in the lives of his devotees.
In this form the Lord appears in a tantric posture with his consort Shakti (Devi) on his left lap with eight hands and golden hue complexion. On his main right hand holds his tusk and the main left hand is gently around his Shakti. On the other hand holds sprig of paddy, a lotus, a blue lily, a sugar cane bow, arrow and a mace.
Purva Nakshatra is associated with this form of Ganapati. It is believed that worshipping this form of Ganapati is helpful to the devotees to sort out their difficulties and elevates them in their lives.
Urdhva Ganapati Mantra and its translation:
“The Rising Ganapati, seated with his Shakti on his left thigh. He has eight arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the arrow-flower, the daylight lotus, the blue lily (kalhara), the sugar-cane bow, the paddy ear, the club; his last hand claps the goddess. The extremity of his trunk is rolled around the right breast of the goddess.”
Kalhaara Shali Kamalekshuka Chapa Bandanta
Prarohakagadi Kanakojwalangaha
Alinganaodhatakaro Harithangashtaya Devya
Karotu Shubhaha Murdhva Ganadhipo Mey
There are no exclusive temples for this form of Ganapati. However the paintings of all the 32 forms of Ganapati can be seen in Thiruvananthapuram and the temples in Chamrajanagar and Nanjangud in Mysore have all the 32 forms of Ganesha sculptures.
Urdhva Ganapati Dhyana Mantra