Simha Ganapati, Lion faced Ganesha
Simha Ganapati is the twenty ninth 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 is depicted as having eight arms with an arm bearing a lions face. He is also seen riding a lion and displays another lion in his hand. This symbolizes strength and fearlessness. He is also seen holding a kalpavriksha sprig and the veena and a pot of jewels.
Simha Ganapati Mantra and its translation:
vinam kalpalatamarim ca varada dakshe vidhatte karai
vasame tamarasam ca ratnakalasham sanmamjarim cabhayam
shumdadamdalasanmrugemdravadanam shamkemdugaurashshubho
divyadratnanibhamshukoganapatih payadapayatsa nah
He has eight arms. He is white in colour He is holding in his right hands a veena , a creeper of votive tree – kalpavRukSha ( Tree which can cure all diseases), a discus and another held in a gesture of granting boons (varada). He is holding in his left hands a lotus, a pot of gems, a flower bunch and another held in a gesture of granting fearlessness (abhaya). He is lion faced with an elephant trunk and shining. His body is shining like a white conch and moon. He is wearing a gem studded shining robe.
There are no major temples associated with this form of Ganapati. However the paintings of the 32 forms of Ganapati can be seen in Thiruvanantapuram in South India. Also the temples in Chamarajanagar and Nanjangud in Mysore have all the 32 forms of Ganesha sculptures.
Simha Ganapati Dhyana Mantra