Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: How To Prepare Lord Ganpati Bappa's Favourite Food Modak? Here Is The Recipe

Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on 27 August this year. This festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is observed with great devotion across India.

The Hindus across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and several other states are gearing up to celebrate the Ganesh festival with great enthusiasm and devotion.

As the Hindus prepare for the festival, here is the recipe of the Lord's favourite dish - Modak.

Modak is considered Lord Ganesha's most beloved offering. It is a sweet dumpling made with rice flour or wheat flour, stuffed with a mixture of jaggery (or sugar), coconut, and cardamom.

There are two main types:

Ukadiche Modak (steamed) - Traditional and healthy.

Fried Modak - Crispy and rich.

How to Prepare Ukadiche Modak (Steamed Modak)

Ingredients:
For the outer covering (dough):

1 cup rice flour

1 cup water

1 tsp ghee

A pinch of salt

For the filling (inner sweet mixture):

1 cup grated fresh coconut

1 cup jaggery (or sugar)

1 tsp cardamom powder

1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

1 tbsp chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)

Method:

1. Prepare the Filling:
Heat a pan and melt jaggery with 2 tbsp water.

Add grated coconut and cook on low flame until the mixture thickens.

Add cardamom powder, nuts, and poppy seeds. Mix well and let it cool.

2. Make the Dough:
Boil 1 cup water with ghee and salt.

Turn off the heat, add rice flour, and mix quickly to form a smooth dough. Cover and let it rest for 5 mins.

3. Shape the Modak:
Take a small portion of dough, flatten it, and make a small bowl shape.

Place 1 tsp filling inside and seal the edges, shaping it like a modak (use a mould if available).

4. Steam the Modak:
Grease a steamer plate and place modaks on it.

Steam for 10-12 minutes on medium heat.

5. Serve to Lord Ganesha:
Offer warm modaks with devotion along with durva grass and red flowers.

Additional Offerings to Lord Ganesha:

Ladoo (another favorite)

Puran Poli (sweet flatbread)

Fruits (especially bananas)

Sundal (steamed lentils)

Fried Modak (Talniche Modak) Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)

1 tbsp semolina (sooji, optional for crispiness)

1 tbsp ghee

A pinch of salt

Water (as needed for kneading)

For the Filling:

1 cup grated fresh coconut

¾ cup jaggery (or sugar)

½ tsp cardamom powder

1 tbsp chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)

1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

For Frying:

Ghee or oil (preferably ghee for flavor)

Method:

1. Prepare the Filling:
Heat a pan, melt jaggery with 1-2 tbsp water.

Add coconut and cook on low flame until the mixture thickens.

Add cardamom powder, nuts, and poppy seeds. Mix well and let it cool.

2. Make the Dough:
In a bowl, mix flour, semolina, ghee, and salt.

Gradually add water to make a firm, smooth dough (like puri dough).

Cover and rest for 15-20 mins.

3. Shape the Modak:
Divide dough into small balls.

Roll each ball into a small puri (3-4 inch diameter).

Place 1 tsp filling in the center, gather edges, and seal into a modak shape (or use a mould).

4. Fry the Modak:
Heat ghee/oil on medium flame.

Gently slide in modaks and fry on low-medium heat until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels.

5. Offer to Lord Ganesha:
Serve warm as Naivedyam with devotion.

Tips for Perfect Fried Modak:
✔ Use ghee for authentic taste.
✔ Keep flame low-medium to ensure even cooking.
✔ Seal edges properly to avoid filling leakage.