Four avatars of Ganesha are listed in the Ganesha Purana: Mohotkata, Mayūreśvara, Gajanana and Dhumraketu. Each avatar corresponds to a different yuga, has a different mount and different skin complexion, but all the avatars have a common purpose – to slay demons.
The Mudgala Purana describes eight avatars of Ganesha:
- Vakratunda (Vakratuṇḍa) (“twisting trunk”), his mount is a lion.
- Ekadanta (“single tusk”), his mount is a mouse.
- Mahodara (“big belly”), his mount is a mouse.
- Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) (“elephant face”), his mount is a mouse.
- Lambodara (“pendulous belly”), his mount is a mouse.
- Vikata (Vikaṭa) (“unusual form”, “misshapen”), his mount is a peacock.
- Vighnaraja (Vighnarāja) (“king of obstacles”), his mount is the celestial serpent Śeṣa.
- Dhumravarna (Dhūmravarṇa) (“grey color”) corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.