Simha Ganapati

 Om Simha Ganapataye Namaha

"The Lion-riding"or "Lion-face" form of Lord Ganesha. Usually, Simha Ganapati refers to the one riding a lion. The lion icon sometimes alternates mouse, the usual vahana of Lord Ganesha, though in some cases Ganesha is seen carrying a mini lion icon in one of his his hands. In that form of Ganesha, the strength, formidability and fearlessness being the attributes of lion, assures victories and success and generates a feeling of confidence in adversities of all kinds. He has eight arms. His first hand shows the movement which bestow boons (varada). The following hold the disc, the bunch of flowers, the lute (vîna), thez daylight lotus, the jewels pot (kamandalu), the creeper of the votive tree; the last hand shows the movement which removes fear (abhaya).
Some of the Mahapuranas and Upapuranas depict Lord Simha Ganapati with a composite face of a lion and an elephant and with eight arms.

 In this version, Simha Ganapati has the face of a lion with the trunk of an elephant. This form has a similarity with the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu and also will protect us from all fears and dangers.
The fire-arch emerges from a lotus base, symbolic of purity, and rises through an architectural form looking like a shrine's entrance as symbol of devotion. So, we see connection of purity and devotion, when Lord Ganesha shall pervade.
Symbolically, the lion's links with Lord Ganesh are inherent and quite intimate.

Lion that stands for strength, formidability and fearlessness is the vehicle of Parvati, his Mother, the primordial cosmic energy. Lion, her vehicle and thus her constant companion in her battles against evil, is the instrument of victories and perpetuation of good. Simha Ganapati  assimilated symbolically these attributes into his being, and that synthesis of auspiciousness and supreme wisdom, strength, formidability and fearlessness and emerges as the supreme divine tool to lead us to victories and success.

Sri Simha Ganapati Mantra:

Veenam Kalapalatamarincha Varadam
Dakshe Vidhatte Karaih 

Vaame Tamarasam Cha Ratnakalasham
Sanmanjareem Chaabhaye 

Shundaa Dandala Sanmrigendra Vadanah
Shankhendugowraha Shubhah 

Deevyadravanibhamashuko Ganapatih Paayadapayatsa Nah