Haridra Ganapati is an aspect of the Hindu godGanesha. Haridra Ganapati is also known as Ratri Ganapati. Haridra Ganapati is depicted as yellow like turmeric and wears yellow garments. He is one of the most popular thirty-two forms of Ganesha.
Iconography
The iconographical treatises Niyotsava and the Mantra-maharnava have similar descriptions of Haridra Ganapati. He is described as having three eyes. He sits on a golden throne. He is yellow-complexioned like turmeric and also wears yellow clothes. He has four arms and carries a pasha, an ankusha, a modaka and the danta in his four hands. He draws his devotees closer by the noose, while goads them in the rightdirection by the ankusha. The Dakshinamnaya mentions that Haridra Ganapati has six arms and sits on a jewelled throne, in addition to his yellow colour and yellow vestments. His three righthands hold the ankusha and display the krodha-mudra and abhayamudra. His left hands carry the pasha, a parashu and displays the varadamudra. Other references to the deity describe his face to be ointed with turmeric; him wearing a yellow yagnopavitabesides his turmeric complexion and clothes. He is described holding a pasha, an ankusha and a staff. In the Ajitāgama, Haridra Ganapati is described as turmeric-colored and flanked by two unnamed wives.
Worship
Haridra Ganapati is worshipped for wealth and well-being. He is also described to protect his devotees. Haridra Ganapati is the patron of the Haridra Ganapatya sect, one of the six major schools of the Ganapatya sect, which regards Ganesha as the Supreme Being. The Haridra Ganapati followers consider him as leader of all deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Indra; the guru of the sage Bhrigu, the guru of gods – Brihaspati, the serpentShesha etc.; the one which the greatest knowledge and the one is worshipped by the deities who create the universe. Worshipping Haridra Ganapati is believed to grant moksha. These sectarians used to brand by iron the head of Ganesha and his tusk on their palms. Haridra Ganapati is a Tantric form of Ganesha. Special mantras and yantras are used in his worship. Rituals involving his worship generally are performed to fulfill material objectives, especially gaining boons related to sexuality. He is also associated with six rituals of abhichara by which the adept can cause the target to suffer delusions, be overcome with irresistible attraction or envy, or to be enslaved, paralysed or killed.
