Taruna Ganapati is the second form among the thirty-two forms of Lord Ganesha. Taruna Ganapati, meaning the young Ganesha, is presented in red complexion and has eight arms. He holds several objects in his hands, like sugarcane branch, a sprig of paddy, a rose-apple, a wood-apple, a modaka or sweet ball, an elephant goad, a noose and His own broken tusk. Taruna Ganapati represents progress and youth in all creatures. In this form, Lord Ganesha is depicted as a young god with a compassionate face.

Taruna Ganapati represents the primary element of Vayu (air). The Lord is worshipped on Ganesha Jayanti, Sankashti Chathurti and Durva Ganapati. Ganesha blesses His devotees with good health, prosperity and delight and removes obstacles from their paths. The popular temples of Taruna Ganapati are Sri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjaina and the temples in Chamarajanagar and Nanjangud in Mysore, Karnataka.

The devotees of Ganesha worship the Taruna Ganapati form by chanting the Taruna Ganapati Mantra. This can be recited as "Pashankusha Pupa Kapitha Jamboo Swadanta Shalikshuapi Svahasthai Dhattai Sadaa Yah Tarunarunabh Payathsa Yushman Taruno Ganeshah".

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