Ganeshotsav, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. It typically takes place in August or September and lasts for ten days. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 will be observed from Saturday, September 7 and will conclude on Tuesday, September 17. The festival is marked by elaborate preparations, including the installation of beautifully crafted Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces. The ten-day festival calls for a varied prasad items offered to Lord Ganesha to mark the auspicious occasion. Modak, khoya burfi and more, these Ganesh Chaturthi prasad items are carefully curated by devotees to celebrate the festival.
Devotees perform rituals, offer prayers, sing devotional songs, and prepare a variety of festive foods, particularly sweets like modaks, which are believed to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite. During the ten-day Ganeshotsav festival, various prasad (offerings) are prepared and offered to Lord Ganesha, each day reflecting different aspects of devotion and celebration. As you celebrate Ganeshotsav 2024, we at LatestLY, bring you ten popular prasad items, one for each day of the festival.
1. Modak: A sweet dumpling made of rice flour or wheat flour, filled with a mixture of jaggery, coconut, and spices. Modak is considered Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet.
2. Ladoo: These are round sweets made from chickpea flour (besan) or semolina (suji), often flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. They are a staple offering during the festival.
3. Karanji: Also known as gujiya, these are crispy, crescent-shaped pastries filled with a sweet mixture of coconut, jaggery, and dry fruits.
4. Puran Poli: A flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil mixture made from chana dal and jaggery. It is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet often served during Ganeshotsav.
5. Coconut Rice: Flavoured with grated coconut, curry leaves, and spices, this Savory rice dish is a popular offering that complements the sweeter prasad’s.
6. Sabudana Khichdi: Made from soaked tapioca pearls, this dish is typically spiced with cumin seeds, green chilies, and peanuts. It is a light and flavourful offering.
7. Chana Sundal: A South Indian snack made from black chickpeas, cooked with grated coconut, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and spices. It’s a nutritious and savoury prasad.
8. Sweets Porridge (Sheera): This sweet porridge made from semolina (suji), sugar, and ghee, flavoured with cardamom and often garnished with nuts, is a comforting offering.
9. Fruits: Fresh fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates are often offered as a simple and healthy prasad, symbolising purity and the abundance of nature.
10. Khoya Barfi: A rich sweet made from reduced milk (khoya) and sugar, flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. This indulgent treat is a festive favourite.
Each prasad item is prepared with devotion and is offered to Lord Ganesha with the belief that it brings blessings, prosperity, and happiness. Wishing everyone Happy Ganeshotsav 2024!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2024 12:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
