One of the most awaited festivals of the year is here. Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated with pomp throughout India and specially in Western India. This festival is celebrated every year during the Chaturthi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadra.

There are many stories of the way Lord Ganesha was born. One story says that Goddess Parvati created Lord Ganesha from the dirt on her body. Ganesha was tasked with guarding Goddess Parvati whenever she was bathing. When Lord Shiva came to meet Parvati, he fought with Ganesha as he wanted to meet the Goddess Parvati. In his rage, he cut off the head of Lord Ganesha with his trishul. While this was happening, Goddess Parvati suddenly came out and witnessed the entire incident.  Lord Ganesha had died till then. To an inconsolable Parvati, Lord Shiva promised that he will live again. He cut off an elephant’s head and attached it to Ganesha’s lifeless body. It is said that the elephant whose head was cut off was a Brahmin in his past life and had prayed for knowledge and wisdom in his previous life. This is how Lord Ganesha came to be known later.

After the bulk of the rains is over, it is the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi that is on everyone’s mind at all times. Just like Diwali, this is a festival that is keenly awaited by one and all, not just for experiencing the various decors at the Ganesh Pandals but also to have some of the best modaks in town. The Modak is said to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite food.

How Lord Ganesha came to love Modak

There is a story behind why Modak or Laddus are Lord Ganesha’s most favourite foods. It goes like this. Once, Lord Ganesha fought  with the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. During the fight, Lord Ganesha lost a tooth and he couldn’t eat solid foods.  Soft foods like Modak’s were offered which were soft and smothered with ghee which melted in the mouth. This is how Lord Ganesha is known to love Modak. There are two types of Modaks which are quite popular-

Golden Modak

This is the grandest of all the modaks. Golden Modaks are offered to Lord Ganesha at many places. These modaks are the most succulent and the tastiest of all modaks and are some of the best you can get in the market.

Bundi Modak

This is the smaller cousin of the Golden modak. As the name suggests, it is made from bundi and is quite popular during Ganesh Chaturthi. This Modak is ideal if you have to offer Prasad and then have to offer it to a large quantity of people.

Ganesh Chaturthi is only days away. It is time to prepare ourselves for this amazing festival and to enjoy it to the fullest before we have to say ‘ Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudcha Varshi Lavkar Ya’.