The Famed Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and The Amazing Food It Invokes

It all started with me asking a friend whether she could meet me for
lunch tomorrow. She replied saying she can't step out tomorrow as it's
Ganesh Chaturthi. I was crestfallen, and so in my curiosity to find out
why people don't step out after dark, I came across all the interesting
and mythological beliefs that are practiced in the customs of
celebrating the birthday of Ganesh/Ganpati.

There is a belief that you are not supposed to see the moon (On Ganesh
Chaturthi Night, which is usually celebrated on the full moon night)
because Ganesha had cursed the moon when it laughed at him.

Details of the Festival:

In this ten --- day long festival, in many states of India such as
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, thousands of
Ganesh statues are installed in homes, schools, and various public
places in India and in Hindu Temples and community centers around the
world during the Ganesh Festival. It's big in Hindus all over the world
and not just in India.

After the celebration, the time of farewell comes and the idol of the
beloved God is immersed in water. The celebration ends with the
immersion, accompanied by loud shouts, singing, drums, and local music!

State-wide Cultural Significance:

In the state of Karnataka many families celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi
along with Gowri festival (which falls a day before the Ganesh
Chaturthi). The people of Karnataka follow the Moon calendar. And hence
every year --- The day on which Ganesh Chaturthi falls on will be based
on the cycles of the moon. As opposed to the people in the Tamil Nadu
who follow the sun calendar.

A traditional modak is a sweet dumpling made with rice flour and
stuffed with a mix of coconut shavings and jaggery .This is called the
Kadubu also. Comes in a spice or sweet filling. Sihi Kadubu or Sweet
Modak is a delicious recipe popular among the people from Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh.

Kozhukattai is a south indian version with Channa Dal, Coconut
and Jaggery.

It is a healthy dish made of steamed rice flour dough stuffed with sweet
or spicy fillings. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was fond of Sihi
Kadubu and hence, it is usually prepared during the festival of Ganesha
Chaturthi. Freshly grated coconut, rice flour and jaggery are the
essential ingredients used for this recipe. The sweet flavour is
achieved with the use of melted jaggery solution. The use of freshly
grounded cardamom provides a unique flavour.

On the other hand you need to hold a Puran Poli (Obattu, Obittu,
Holige). Puran Poli is a flat bread made of maida stuffed with sweet
lentils and jaggery. Or in this case: Coconut and roasted.

This festival celebrates Goddess Gowri (also known as Parvati),
venerated as the mother of Lord Ganesha. It is usually observed by
married women and is a significant festival in parts of Karnataka and
Tamil Nadu. The Gauri/Gowri festival is almost similar to the
Varamahalakshmi Vrata and the only difference is that the deity of
Goddess Gauri is worshipped in place of Goddess Lakshmi.

Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and
Ganesh Chauth.

For example, in West Bengal, until recently, the Ganesh Chaturthi
was not a major festival like the Durga Puja. But now, Ganesh Chaturthi
is also followed there. There is a story which is relatable here
as well.

During the Durga Puja, it is assumed that Durga and her children (4
children) will visit the people. Hence when people get the idols of
these gods, they have their faces covered. They are placed under a Bael
Tree because it is said that the essence of the gods will come from a
Bael tree and enter the idols placed there. Luchi and bhog are
dishes that are prepared.

In Tamil Nadu: Ganesha is hailed as remover of obstacles, and is
offered "Kozhukattai", a sweet dish made with jaggery and coconut in
keeping with the tradition by the people.

It's commonly celebrated for the following 11 days, with the biggest
spectacle taking place on the last day called Ananta Chaturdasi. The
origin of Ganesh Chaturthi also explains why Ganesha has an
elephant head.

Did you know! The large scale public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi
Festival was started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893 in Pune. The main
intention of Tilak was to galvanize support for India's independence
movement. The modern day celebrations are a continuation of Tilak's
version of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

And in Maharashtra, the origin of Public celebration of Ganesh
festival is traced to the period of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the
great Maratha ruler, who asked people to perform a public celebration to
promote culture and nationalism in the 17th century. The large-scale
Ganesh festival of today was revived by Lokmanya Tilak, freedom fighter,
in the last decade of 19th century in Pune to spread the message of
freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public
assemblies. Large-scale Ganesh festival celebrations take place in
Maharashtra with millions of people visiting the various community
Ganesh Pandals.

On this occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, we at cookpad wanted to choose
some of our favourite recipes from the app and wesbite and display
them here!

Coconut Modakby Kishori

Steamed Jaggery Modaksby Shilpa

Pulihora Andhra Style by Ridhima

Rice Kheer by Rani Soni

Mixed Dal Vadaby Madhuri's Kitchen

Puran Poli --- Stuffed Sweet Indian Bread by Joh Miljo

Puran Poli Recipe

Kothimbir Vadi by Somya Gupta

Palak, Methi & Curry Leaves puri (Green Puri) by Pinkle Sachdev

Karanji Recipe

Moong Ke Laddu by Rajani Gupta

Happy cooking and wish you a very happy Ganesh Chaturthi!