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Why is Modak Offered to Ganesha? – Story – Why Lord Ganesha Loves Modak?

Modak, sweet balls, is one of the most important offerings made to Lord Ganesha. It is said that any offering to Ganesh is incomplete without the Modaks. There is an interesting story in the Padma Purana regarding why Ganesha loves Modak. Ganesha is the Hindu God of Wisdom and modaks symbolize nuggets of wisdom.

Once the Devas (demi gods) came to visit Shiva and Goddess Parvati and presented them a divine Modak. It was a very special Modak and the person who ate the modak will become knowledgeable in all scriptures, science, art and writing.


Goddess Parvati wanted to present it to her sons – Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartik. But the brothers were not ready to share it. So a confused Goddess Parvati said that who among you proves the true meaning of sincerity and devotion will get the Modak.

To prove the true meaning of devotion, Lord Kartik immediately mounted on his Vahana, or vehicle, and started visiting all the spiritual places.

But Lord Ganesha went around Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and said that no amount of offerings or fasting or visiting sacred places is equal to the devotion of one’s father and mother.

Impressed by Lord Ganesha’s explanation of true meaning of sincerity and devotion, Goddess Parvati gave the Modak to Lord Ganesha.

This is believed to be the reason for Lord Ganesha’s love for Modak.


Modak Trivia

  • Modak is the word used in Marathi.
  • It is known as modakam or kudumu in Telugu.
  • Kadubu in Kannada.
  • Kozhukatta in Malayalam.
  • Kozhukattai in Tamil.
  • Modak is a dumpling made from rice or wheat flour with a filling of fresh grated coconut and sugar or jaggery, along with nuts, raisins and a pinch of cardamom.
  • The two popular styles in which modaks - steamed and fried.
  • 21 modaks are offered to Ganapati.
  • The humble grated coconut and jaggery filled modak is today available in numerous flavors including hova, chana dal, dark chocolate, pistachio marzipan fruit puree gels, raspberry, white chocolate ganache and out covering made of cashew nut, badam and other costly nuts.
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