GANPATI BAPPA MORIYAA

I have many childhood memories associated with the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is also called the Vinayaka Chaturthi in South India. Being born and brought up in Rajasthan, I never got the chance to experience the grandeur of this particular festival in all its glory as is celebrated in Maharashtra. While people are busy decorating their in-house pandals and temples, Ganesh Chaturthi also calls for preparing an array of delicious sweets. Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day long festival. According to the beliefs, Lord Ganesha is known to be 'Modak priya”, the one who likes modak. We hope now it is safe to say that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are incomplete without this sweet dumpling. From fried, chocolate to dry fruit, there are a bunch of variations given to this all-time favourite mithayi. And, the wide variety has only left us spoilt for choices. As we celebrate the festival today, City First brings to you the traditional Modak recipe, which is a personal favourite of so many during this festival.

MODAK
This one comes as no surprise. The delicious modaks (sweet dumplings) are considered to be one of Ganpati's most favourite sweets. He is also called Modakpriya in the scriptures owing to his great love for modak. Hence on the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees tend to offer him a bhog of modak. You can also make a delicious variety of sweetmeat to please the deity. For instance, steamed modak, dry fruit modak, chocolate modak, fried modak and the likes.

RAVA PONGAL
Rava Pongal prepared with a dollop of ghee is a delicious breakfast snack in South India. Made with rava (sooji) and moong dal, and topped with flavourful seasonings, the pongal is an absolute treat.

MOTICHOOR LADDOO
Along side Modak, Lord Ganesha is also believed to be very fond of ladoos. Motichoor Ladoo is one of the most common forms of ladoos offered to him in his bhog. Other melt-in mouth ladoos that are popular are Coconut Ladoo, Til ke Ladoo, Motichoor Ladoo, Atta Ladoo etc.

SHRIKHAND
Shrikhand is an Indian sweet dish made of strained yoghurt, and is popular across Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is topped with chunky nuts and raisins. This Ganesh Chaturthi, please your beloved Lord Ganesha with this all-time favourite festive treat.

PURAN POLI
Another festive treat Maharashtrians love preparing for every auspicious occasion is Puran Poli. Several Maharashtrian households offer bhog of Puran Poli to Lord Ganesha in one of these 10 days to seek his blessings. Along with modak, and Coconut Laddoo, Puran Poli tops the list of favourite bhog offered to Lord Ganesha on Ganesha Chaturthi. Puran Poli is a flat bread made of maida stuffed with sweet lentils and jaggery.

PAYASAM
No compilation of bhog or prasad is ever complete with India's favourite festive treat - Payasam. Payasam is a traditional South Indian kheer. Rice cooked in milk along with jaggery, coconut and cardamom is a hit across the sub-continent. You can also experiment with Payasam, and cook your deity interesting versions of it like Pineapple Payasam, Carrot Payasam etc.

COCONUT RICE
This is one of the common offerings to the deity in South India. Coconut rice is a dish prepared by soaking white rice in coconut milk or cooking it with coconut flakes. The delicious treat makes for one of the most loved bhog items to Lord Ganesha.

MEDU VADA
Medu Vada is a traditional South Indian delicacy commonly prepared in almost every South Indian household. On the pious occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, devotees offer the delicious vada to their God as a part of the bhog.

BANANA SHEERA
Banana Sheera is an easy-to-make sweet treat, which is one of the common offerings to Lord Ganesha. Made of mashed bananas, semolina and sugar, the sheera is similar to the melt-in-mouth Sooji ka Halwa.

SATORI
Satori is a Maharashtrian sweet flat bread, and one of the most loved festive recipes of Maharashtra. It is a rich delicacy made from khoya or mawa, ghee, besan and milk.