Ganesh Chaturthi 2022: Modak to basundi; 5 traditional bhog ideas to celebrate the festival

Devotees place statues of Lord Ganesha in their houses and present him with prasadam—a variety of sweets, fruits, and other foods. Here's a list of 5 simple yet traditional ideas for Ganesh Chaturthi bhog that are sure to be a delight as well!

Ganesh Chaturthi is almost here and sweets stores all around the nation are lined with various types of modaks. As the name implies, Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is the subject of the ten-day celebration known as Ganesh Chaturthi. Devotees place statues of Lord Ganesha in their houses and present him with prasadam—a variety of sweets, fruits, and other foods.

From flatbreads laden with sugary syrup to nutritious slurps of mango mastani, Maharashtra provides a large array of traditional sweets that will fulfil your taste buds with a rich bounty of savoury ingredients. In addition, we offer a list of 5 simple traditional Ganesh Chaturthi bhog ideas that are sure to be a delight as well!

Modak

Without modak, Ganesh Chaturthi would be like Diwali without Kaju Katli. This steaming treat is quite unique. Modak is a pleasure from the inside out since it is filled with a coconut, jaggery, and nut filling that melts in your tongue. Deemed to be Lord Ganesha's favourite food, Modak is a must-have during Ganesh puja. Keeping this in mind, we bring you an easy recipe to prepare modak at home. 

Puran Poli

The most popular dessert during festival season is puran poli. This meal, which resembles flatbreads in appearance, is filled with the sweet lentil mixture known as Puran. While the method for making this sweet dish is fairly consistent throughout Maharashtra, the filling is up to personal preference. While some prefer to take the conventional route, others choose to fill it with flour, almonds, or jaggery. During the festivities of significant Maharashtrian holidays like Ganesh Chaturthi, this sweet delicacy is frequently enjoyed.

Coconut ladoo

What works best for it is the delectable flavour of coconut and the subtle sweetness it gives to any meal. The dried coconut is formed into balls together with milk, sugar, ghee, cardamom powder, and other ingredients. It is topped with cashew nuts and little grated jaggery for extra sweetness. These have a soft inside and a somewhat crunchy outside. They are white in colour.

Basundi

Basundi is a meal made with condensed milk that has just the right amount of sweetness and nuttiness thanks to the addition of cardamom and a range of dried fruits. This dish, which resembles Rabri in appearance, is the ideal healthy dessert to enjoy after a meal and may be made in a variety of flavours, such as custard apple and grapes. This meal is delicious both warm and cold.

Malpua

Malpua is another delicious sweet delicacy from Maharashtra that is coated in sugar syrup and topped with crunchy almonds. It has a pancake-like appearance and is made using the deep-frying method. Every mouthful of this meal is absolute delight, especially with the topping of crushed pistachios and the iced rabri on the sides.