Hi Mamta! Long time no visit, i know...and I've still not got any pictures of recipes to show you so have been keeping quiet for that reason...

Anyway, I wanted to ask if you can explain for Modak is and if you know how to make it?

It's only more recently that in the uk I've been exposed to more about indian religion and culture and now find myself looking forward to Ganesh Chaturthi as much as Janamashtami, Navratri and all the other festivals too. Mum makes the Gond Ladoos to offer as prasad, but I'm really wanting to know more what Modak is as that's often referred to in scriptures and prayers to Ganesh also.

Thanks

Hi Khichri

Nice to hear from you :-).

In north India, in Hindi, Modak simply means Laddoo, like your mum makes. In southern india/maharashtra etc, it is a rice flower dumpling with a sweet filling. In Ganesh Prayer, there is a mention of laddoos too;

Sri Ganesh Aarti

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva

Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari

Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari,

Jai Ganesh...

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya

Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya,

Jai Ganesh....

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva

Ladduan ka bhog lage, sant kare seva,

Jai Ganesh....

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,

Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva.

Hope this helps!

Mamta

thanks Mamta!

I remember that prayer now that you mention it. I was thinking of this one which made me think of it.

musi ka vahan modak hasta chamurkarna vilambit sutra, waman rupa maheshwara putra, vignah vinayak pada namaste

I think what me might make is the goond ka ladoos but shape them like modak in a special sweet mold. That'll be fun! (I sound like a little kid!)

See my mum and her friends making it; Gond ke Laddoo. Picture was taken March 2008, she is 87!

Mamta