Every year, as the monsoon begins to ease, homes across India and around the world start preparing for one of the most loved Indian festivals of the year.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a time when Lord Ganesha comes home. Homes fill with flowers, prayers, music and, of course, the unmistakable aroma of festive food.
For Indian families living away from home, festivals like these carry an extra meaning. A familiar prayer, a favourite dish or the smell of freshly made modak can bring back memories of home in an instant.
And when it comes to Ganesh Chaturthi food, there is one sweet that takes centre stage: modak.
Why Do We Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is associated with wisdom, new beginnings and the ability to overcome obstacles.
For many families, the festival is as much about togetherness as it is about devotion. It is a time to:
There is something especially beautiful about the way food becomes part of these traditions. Recipes are prepared with care, offered to Ganesha and then shared around the table with family.
The cooking itself becomes part of the celebration.
The Secret of Making Modak?
Among all the traditional Indian sweets prepared during the festival, modak holds a special place during ganesh chaturthi
Traditionally made with a soft rice flour covering and a filling of coconut and jaggery, modak has a delicate sweetness and a texture that makes it instantly recognisable.
It is widely associated with Lord Ganesha and is traditionally offered to him during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
The sweet also takes different forms and names across India. In Maharashtra, Ukadiche Modak is especially popular, while similar preparations are known as Kozhukattai in Tamil cuisine and Kudumu or Modakam in Telugu households.
Different names, different regional traditions, but the same idea: a humble homemade sweet made with love and offered with devotion.
Healthy Kudumulu / Modak
An Easy Modak Recipe for Ganesh Chaturthi
You do not need a long list of ingredients to make delicious homemade modak. This simple modak recipe uses familiar ingredients and is especially suited to families looking to recreate a traditional Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at home.
For the covering
- 1 cup Reddot Rice flour
- 1 cup water
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon ghee
- For the filling
- 1 cup freshly grated coconut
- ¾ cup grated Reddot Jaggery
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- A handful of chopped cashews or almonds
How to make it
Start with the filling. Add the grated coconut and jaggery to a pan and cook gently over low heat until the jaggery melts and the mixture becomes slightly dry. Stir in the cardamom and chopped nuts, then allow it to cool. For the covering, bring the water to a gentle boil with the salt and ghee. Add the rice flour and mix well. Once it comes together, knead the mixture while it is still warm until you have a soft, smooth dough.
Divide the dough into small portions and shape each one into a small cup. Add a spoonful of the coconut and jaggery filling, then gently pleat and close the edges.
Place the modaks in a steamer and steam for around 10 minutes, or until the outer covering looks glossy and cooked through.
Serve them warm as a traditional offering to Lord Ganesha, then enjoy them with your family.
The little detail that matters
The quality of the rice flour can make a real difference to the texture of your modak.
Reddot Food Rice Flour is stone milled in Ireland and naturally gluten free, making it a versatile choice for traditional recipes such as modak, dosa and idiyappam.
Keeping the Tradition Alive with Reddot Food
At Reddot Food, we believe food is about more than what ends up on the plate. It is about the traditions behind it, the ingredients we choose and the people we share it with.
That belief is at the heart of what we do.
Food That Connects Us to Home
You do not have to be in India to experience the feeling of Ganesh Chaturthi.
It can be found in a small family puja, flowers arranged around Ganesha, children helping in the kitchen or the first bite of a freshly steamed modak.
Gather your family, put on some music and make the kitchen part of the celebration. Let the aroma of coconut, jaggery and cardamom fill the room.
Because sometimes, keeping a tradition alive is as simple as making the food you grew up with.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, may your home be filled with wisdom, happiness, good health and plenty of sweetness.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
