/images/ppid_59c68470-image-178898002716367826.webp)
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most beloved Hindu festivals, celebrated with immense devotion, vibrant decorations, prayers and an abundance of traditional delicacies. Among the many offerings made to Lord Ganesha during the festival, modak holds a special place. Often described as the deity’s favourite sweet, modak is offered to Ganesha as naivedya and is an essential part of festive celebrations.
The association between Lord Ganesha and modak goes beyond its delicious taste. The sweet has a deep
cultural and spiritual significance, with several traditional stories explaining why it became one of Ganesha’s most cherished offerings. As we prepare to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14, let’s take a look at why this traditional sweet continues to be an important part of the celebrations:
In the scriptures, there are so many tales that explain why modak is a favourite food of Lord Ganesha. However, one of the most loved modak stories comes from the Anantapurana. It is said that once, the Devas offered a divine sweet to Lord Shiva and Parvati. It was not an average sweet, but a modak, brimming with wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.
Both Shiva and Parvati wanted to give the modak to the worthiest of their two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. To decide, they posed a challenge: whoever circled the world three times and returned first would win the modak. Kartikeya quickly hopped on his peacock and took off for the whole world, while Ganesha understood the challenge and simply folded his hands, walked around his parents three times, and declared that they were the entire universe for him.
Pleased with Ganesha's wisdom and devotion, Goddess Parvati granted Ganesha the modak. Since that time, modak has been regarded as Ganesha's favourite sweet.
Another popular story tells that Goddess Parvati once prepared a special modak and offered it to Lord Ganesha. The sweet was believed to contain the essence of divine knowledge. Lord Ganesha ate it with great delight, and since then, modaks became his favourite sweet.
