Bala Ganapati – 1 of 32 Forms of Ganesha
Bala Ganapati is the first among 34 types of Ganesha (Chathwari Thrimshath Ganapathi). He is the child form of Ganesh who is depicted with 4 hands (chaturbhuja).
Bala Ganapati is not mentioned in 21 types of Ganesha (Ekavimsathi Ganapathi) and 16 types of Ganesha (Shodasha Ganapati). He has got a reference as Balachandra Ganapathi in Ekavimsathi Ganesha forms.
Appearance & Iconography of Bala Ganapathi
Bala Ganapathi holds a mango with his right lower hand, bananas in right upper hand, jackfruit in left lower hand, and sugarcane with left upper hand. He appears with a Modak in his trunk. Bala Ganesha shines in golden colour like a rising sun.
The appearance of Bala Ganapathi represents the importance of agriculture and the nature in this universe. He signifies his influence on the abundance and fertility of the earth.
Bala Ganapathi Dhyanam: Bala Ganesha Mantram
Karastha kadalichutha panasekshu kapitthakam
Bala suryaprabham devam vande bala ganadhipam
Worship
Bala Ganapati is mainly worshipped on Ganesh Jayanti day and Ganesh Chaturthi festival as well. Bala Ganapathi upasana makes a person pleasant and gives him the courage to face any touch situation in life with a great ease.
Read my previous article on 32 Forms of Lord Ganesha
Bala Ganapati Dhyana Mantra