Is it more auspicious for Lord Ganesh’s trunk to be on the right or left?

If there is one thing common to all Indian festivals then it is enthusiasm and rituals. But, one thing that is common to all Ganesh Chaturthi days is Love. People love Ganpati Bappa, love having him in their homes, and enthusiastically sing and dance while welcoming him. The day is filled with prayers, ritual, mantra chanting, and much more, and the roars of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ fill the air.

In Hinduism, an idol of Lord Ganesha with the trunk curving to the right is called ‘Dakshinabhimukhi’ Ganesha. It simply means ‘right facing’ and is said to be more powerful and needs elaborate rituals and prayers.
The right-direction of the trunk in Ganesha’s idol has strict rules of worship and a very powerful spiritual energy. Why? Because the right side of the body is connected to the sun and the fiery energies.
So, a Ganesha idol with a right trunk is very powerful and auspicious, but also difficult to worship.

The most commonly seen and made Ganpati idols have their trunk in the left direction. It is said that the Ganesha idols with a trunk facing left are more calm, prosperous, and also help in emotional connections and pursuits. Why? Because the left side is associated with Chandra (or moon), and the qualities of the moon are calm, peaceful, and less fiery.

It is believed that unlike the right-trunk Ganesha, the left-trunk form is much more forgiving, and is easier to please and worship.

Well, some people are of the opinion that at the end of the day, God is a God and there is not a ‘better’ form of them. They are the supreme and all-mighty, and they treat everyone equally. And what side will ‘suit’ a devotee better is completely upto them. But others are more steadfast in the belief that Lord Ganesha with a trunk facing right is more powerful and rigid, while the one with a left-facing trunk is more benevolent and pleasant.
It is believed that the right-trunk Ganesha is extremely powerful, and if the rituals are not performed correctly, it can lead to problems due to the intense energy it has.
And so, when you bring Bappa to your home, it is preferred to bring one with a trunk facing left as he is associated with the calm and peaceful energies of the moon.

Another point to note here is that there are very few temples where Lord Ganesha sits with a right-sided trunk. In the Northern side of India, Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai is the most famous one to have a Ganpati like that. As evident in the name, Lord Ganesha here is famous for giving his devotees ‘Siddhi’, which is basically strong, meaningful power and knowledge.
And so, even the rituals performed in the temple are conducted with the utmost care, following strict guidelines.
(Image: Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust/Facebook)

Another point to note here is that it is believed that when Lord Ganesha’s trunk is facing left, worshipping him brings material prosperity in life. As the ‘Vighnaharta’, he not only removes obstacles from the devotee’s path, but also gives them abundance and prosperity.
But, for the Lord Ganesha idols with a trunk towards the right, it is said that this gives people the most powerful knowledge and a will to cut their ties from the material. And as people with family and children cannot give up their duties, it is best to not bring a Ganesha idol like this home.

Apart from left and right, some Ganesha idols also have trunks that face upwards and downwards. In some idols, Ganesha's trunk is shown pointing upwards, which is said to be a symbol of ultimate enlightenment, wisdom, and attaining higher knowledge. And these murtis are taken by people who wish to further their connection with the divine, whole, and soul.
And the idols that have downward-pointing trunks are believed to give worldly success and fulfillment of desires. But, there are very few idols that are made in these directions and are mostly made by people themselves, after consulting the family priest.