COCKTAILS AND CUISINE WITH ADITI

S O M E T R A D I T I O N A L S W E E T S E N J O Y E D D U R I N G G A N E S H A P O O J A

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Ganesh Chaturthi is like a big bell that starts ringing in the festive season. I have personally been always enchanted with this festival and love the spirit around it the most. Although I have slightly mixed feelings when it comes to Visarjan as I don ’t appreciate the kind of end our faith meets with, however during the festivities, the entire hype about bringing Ganesha home, visiting people

’ s houses, the décor, the vibe and most of all food, is something I enjoy a lot. When I lived in Delhi and Mumbai, only Modaks were what resonated with Ganesh Chaturthi. But over the last 5 years, I came to know of so many regional and local dishes that are prepared in Goa. Here are some of the dishes that you must relish during Ganpati.

Modak to Ganesh Chaturthi is the same as what Kaju Katli is to Diwali or Gujiya to Holi. Modak is one of the favourite sweets specially made during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Usually, it is made on the very first day of celebrations. It is generally made from rice flour and is also known as Ukadiche Modak, where they are steamed. But today there are a whole lot of Modak varieties to choose from. But do you know how and why Modak became so significant to Ganesh Chaturthi? Here is what the popular legend has to say. During one of his visits to Rishi Atri and Anusuya, Lord Shiva was accompanied by little Ganesha. It was a long journey, so Lord Shiva was very hungry, but Anusuya decided she would serve Lord Shiva only after Lord Ganesha was sufficiently fed, which proved to be quite a task, no matter what she put in front of him, he still gorged on it and was still not full. Despite Shiva ' s hunger, he was forced to wait. Anusuya served Lord Ganesha a sweet dumpling when she realized that Lord Shiva may not have anything to eat. Ganesha ate it happily and burped, indicating that he was satisfied. When Goddess Parvati saw this, she became intrigued and inquired about the sweet. She learned that it was called 'Modak' , and soon she started preparing many 'Modaks ' for Lord Ganesha to enjoy. Moreover, she wished that all of Lord Ganesha ' s devotees would serve him Modaks during their Pujas. Another very popular sweet made during the festival is Puran Poli. It is basically a flat bread stuffed with a sweet lentil and jaggery. The filling is called the puran while the covering is called the poli. A favourite offering to Lord Ganesha is the Ladoos in various avatars like Motichoor, Besan, or Coconut Ladoos which are made of

desiccated coconut and a melt-in-the-mouth kind. Patholi rolls are steamed rice rolls full of jaggery and coconut mixture. The rolls are wrapped in turmeric leaves and then steamed lending them a superb aroma. Karanji another popular sweet is a crisp, flaky fried pastry stuffed liberally with dry fruits and desiccated coconut. Similarly, there are a number of sweets and various other dishes that are prepared during the Ganesha Chaturthi that enhance the vibrant festivities duly celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. Which one is your favourite? Wishing all our readers a happy Ganesh Chaturthi!! GANPATI BAPPA MORYA!!.