Here, I have shared a compilation of 135 recipes which includes 8 modak varieties and 67 other Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi sweets, snacks and lunch or dinner recipes. You can make these for Vinayaka Chaturthi as well.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi (as referred to in South India) is a Hindu festival that celebrates Bhagwan Ganesha’s birth and lasts for 10 days. It is one of the most favorite festivals in my home. Usually, we look forward to the 10-day long extravaganza as it is the time for our pandal-hopping scenes in our locality. It will be a different scenario this year, where we would get to visit the beautifully decorated and lit pandals. As I was growing up in Mumbai, it was customary for my family to visit the famous Ganesha pandals in South Mumbai during this festival. Year after year, we would specially be at my mother’s friend’s place who stayed in Girgaum, Mumbai. Because from her home, we could get the perfect view of the magnificent processions of the visarjan on the last day. It was a habit for us to take part in both the morning and evening Ganesh aartis that was regular in the huge pandal of our own locality. I have literally grown up experiencing the positive vibes and celebrations of the Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaturthi festival.
Ganesh Chaturthi And Food
Along with these festivities, food was, is and will always been an important part of not just the Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations, but also any other Indian festival. As I mentioned above, the Modak recipe is a chosen one at home. Besides this, I’ve seen my family make other Ganesh Chaturthi sweets as well as other snacks, all these years. While finalizing recipes for festivals like Vinayaka Chaturthi, make sure to speak to the elders in your home about the use of ingredients like onion, garlic, spices, herbs, etc. Every community has different rules of using or not using these, when it comes to religious fasting recipes. Most of the recipes mentioned in this signature collection too, have vegan options. Also, if you are a vegan, then use oil instead of ghee and substitute dairy-based milk with coconut milk or almond milk. Use fresh ingredients only. This means do not use ingredients that are already unpacked or opened. Try to make all your staples like rice flour, lentil flours, ghee, butter, mawa, paneer at home. Ganesha is always offered freshly cooked food. So do not make ahead any food and refrigerate it. Cook with devotion and prayerfulness and offer it to Ganesha as soon as you prepare the delicacies. Other Indian states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Gujarat also celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with equal devotion and excitement. In South Indian states, it takes the form of Vinayaka Chaturthi/Chavithi, also known as Pillayar Chaturthi or Vinayagar Chaturthi. The Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chaturthi sweets or other recipes vary from region to region and state to state. For example, Modak recipe, one of the favorites of Lord Ganesha, becomes the Kozhukattai in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. While South India has sundals, popular savory preparations, you won’t find them in Maharashtra. Along with modaks, Ganpati is also fond of ladoo. So, we offer a variety of ladoo too, to him during this festival. This post of mine will help you with many such well-known as well as lesser-known Ganesh festival specials.
Symbolism Of Lord Ganesha
Every year, we wait with all our zeal and excitement to be a part of the vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi festivities. He is certainly one of the most endearing divine forms and no puja is complete without first paying obeisance to him. But ever imagined, what exactly does the form of Ganesha represents? What is the significance and why the elephant head? Here are some of the many interpretations:
The foremost qualities of the Elephant are wisdom and effortlessness. Thus, the Elephant Head denotes both these. The massive head also signifies knowledge and wisdom. Elephants don’t see obstacles as hindrance. They overcome them and keep walking ahead. This signifies effortlessness. The strong Elephant’s trunk can pull up huge trees and also pick up a delicate flower. Thus, Ganesha`s trunk symbolizes that a wise human being can be both strong and tender. The large ears are a representation of a sieve – it hears (assimilates) a lot, but retains only the good and eliminates the bad. Ganpati’s eyes are small, just like an elephant’s – which has the ability to see very far. This means that your present day deeds have repercussions in the future too. The huge belly epitomizes kindness and total acceptance.
More On The Symbolism
One tusk represents unity, no duality in life. One leg folded over other resting on the ground symbolizes a balance between worldly affairs and spirituality. The Modak recipe might be a loved one with all of us, just as for Ganesha. But, if you observe the modak in his hand closely, it is actually the tip of 5 fingers coming together, depicting power of co-operation. Ganesha also wields a lotus flower. This signifies that when we connect to the supreme power, we purify ourselves. We become like the lotus flower that, despite being in muddy slush, blooms beautifully. This signifies that we could be in the midst of negativity but we have to rise above it and bloom like a lotus. And why does the elephant-headed Ganesha, have a tiny mouse as his ride? It is lust, greed and attachment in life that get on to you and destroy you. The Mouse depicts greed and vices over which we have to be victorious. We have to be in control and ride over our desires.
Modak Recipes
Modak is the most favorite sweet of Bhagwan Ganesha. There are many types of modak prepared during Ganesh Chaturthi. But the most famous Maharashtrian modak is the steamed Modak also called Ukadiche Modak that is made from rice flour and stuffed with a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery Many sweet shops serve readymade mava modak or peda modak in Maharashtra. In some shops advance orders are also taken for modak. If you plan to prepare sweets for Bhagwan Ganesha then Modak and Ladoo are two sweets which are must. You can make either Boondi ladoo, Rava ladoo, Besan ladoo or Coconut ladoo.
8 Modak Varieties
Find below 8 variants of modak which you can choose to make during Ganesh Chaturthi Festival. While the traditional Modak takes time to make, you could opt to make quick versions of modak like the Mawa Modak or Chocolate Modak.
Ladoo Varieties
No festive occasion is complete without sweets and so is the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Some sweets from the blog that can be made during the Ganesha Festival.
Barfi Recipes
Below you will find some delicious barfi variants. Burfi or Barfi are fudge-like sweets that are made with nuts, dry fruits, lentil flours or lentils.
Kheer and Payasam Varieties
Kheer or Payasam are some of the dishes that do not take time to prepare. In the list below you will some popular and traditional kheer and payasam variants from across India.
Halwa Recipes
More Sweets For Vinayaka Chaturthi
Maharashtrian Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes
Each family has its own traditional and favorite dish that they prepare. I am sharing these Maharashtrian recipes from the blog, which you can prepare during Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Traditionally, Modak recipe is made for the first day of this festival. Note that in some recipes you may find the addition of onion and garlic. Kindly omit adding these two ingredients if you make any of these dishes during the festival.
Breakfast & Snacks
Lunch or Dinner
South Indian Vinayaka Chaturthi Recipes
Sundal Recipes For Ganesh Chaturthi
Sundals are usually prepared in south India during Ganesh Chaturthi as well as for Navratri Festival. Apart from above mentioned sundal recipes you can prepare sundal from sweet corn, moong beans, black eyed peas, peanut, chana dal also. The method to prepare sundal is more or less same with some variations here and there. Sundals are good snack option, you can consider to quickly make for Ganesh Chaturthi. Wishing you all Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. I pray that Bhagwan Ganesha bestows prosperity, luck, wisdom and blessings to everyone. Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. This Ganesh Chaturthi Recipes post from the blog archives first published in September 2013 has been updated and republished on September 2023.
