Amusing stories about the adorable young elephant lord and his love for food have always charmed us. With 'Ganesha Chaturthi' almost here, households in the city are preparing mouth-watering delights for the day. Bengalureans in true festive fervour talk about the food items they love preparing and their memories of the day.
As tradition goes, there are 21 dishes which have to be prepared for 'Ganesha Chaturthi' since the number has a deep connection with the elephant lord. Vijayalakshmi H N, a homemaker, says that this is why devotees offer 21 flowers, 21 'namaskaras' and 21 leaves as well as prepare 21 food items on the day. "Since the elephant lord loves food, there are varied items that are prepared for the day. We make snacks, rice items and sweets, which include 'khara kadabu', 'sihi kadabu', sweet 'modaka', 'khara modaka' (with vegetables inside), 'kajjaya', 'panchakajjaya', 'holige', sugarcane pieces, five types of dry fruits and five types of fruits including grapes, banana, apple, orange and 'mosambi'," she says.
Apart from snacks, rice items like 'puliyogare' and 'chitranna', two types of 'kosambri', 'yellunde' and honey are also served. "Traditionally, we also make 'akki shavige paayasa', which is made out of 'shavige' prepared at home, but most people opt for the commercial version," details Vijayalakshmi.
The young lord, like any child, is believed to have loved indulging in snack items and varied foods. Parvathi Rajeev, an accountant, says that she fondly remembers playing with her cousins during childhood, while her mother and aunts would be in the kitchen making traditional items like 'chakkli', 'murukku' and other savouries. "Festivals were the only time we could eat a lavish feast and would not be scolded for it. Right after the 'puja', we would stuff ourselves with homemade snacks and be up to some mischief," recollects Parvathi.
She says that she likes to keep the tradition intact by making most items on the occasion. "Though the present generation is into junk food, I insist on preparing and relishing these homemade items as they are a big part of our tradition," adds Parvathi.
For most people, all delicacies that are made with jaggery and coconut are exciting additions to the festive spirit. 'Kadabu' and 'modak' are some of Sandeep B S' favourites during this festival. "I also love indulging in 'holige' and 'puliyogare' which my mother makes. My mother also makes a 'pongal'-like preparation which is made from jaggery and rice and I thoroughly enjoy it. The comfort of homemade food along with the rich aroma is very enticing," adds Sandeep.
Anitha Arun Kumar, a businesswoman, adds, "Apart from the food, which is offered to the lord first before it is consumed, the 'prasada' also includes little books, information pamphlets and pens that we hand out. We make varied specialities for each day — for the day we worship Gauri and the day we worship Ganesha," says Anitha.
While the themes make it a beautiful sight at Anitha's house, the delicious offerings make it a foodie's haven. Anitha's husband, Arun Kumar, says that their childhood included indulging into 'modaka' and 'kajjikaye'. "At our place, we make 'chakkli' , 'kodbale' and 'rave unde'. We also give out 'kabuli channa masala' to whoever comes home along with 'arishina kumkuma'," adds Arun. Anitha says that she makes the traditional 'holige' for the Gauri 'puja' that happens the day before 'Ganesha Chaturthi'.
And it's not just South Indians but also North Indians who celebrate the day in all its gaiety. Manoj Jeswani, unit head with an eye hospital, says that in Maharashtra, the items prepared are different. "On the festival day, 'puran poli', 'puri bhaji', rice and vegetables are offered to lord Ganesha before we consume them. 'Poha', 'sabudana vada' and 'sabudana khichdi' are also a big part of the festival," details Manoj. He adds that they also make 'shankar pada', 'sweet steamed modak', 'besan ke laddoo' and 'karanji' for the day.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Amusing stories about the adorable young elephant lord and his love for food have always charmed us. With 'Ganesha Chaturthi’ almost here, households in the city are preparing mouth-watering delights for the day. Bengalureans in true festive fervour talk about the food items they love preparing and their memories of the day.
As tradition goes, there are 21 dishes which have to be prepared for 'Ganesha Chaturthi’ since the number has a deep connection with the elephant lord. Vijayalakshmi H N, a homemaker, says that this is why devotees offer 21 flowers, 21 'namaskaras’ and 21 leaves as well as prepare 21 food items on the day. "Since the elephant lord loves food, there are varied items that are prepared for the day. We make snacks, rice items and sweets, which include 'khara kadabu’, 'sihi kadabu’, sweet 'modaka’, 'khara modaka’ (with vegetables inside), 'kajjaya’, 'panchakajjaya’, 'holige’, sugarcane pieces, five types of dry fruits and five types of fruits including grapes, banana, apple, orange and 'mosambi’,” she says.
Apart from snacks, rice items like 'puliyogare’ and 'chitranna’, two types of 'kosambri’, 'yellunde’ and honey are also served. "Traditionally, we also make 'akki shavige paayasa’, which is made out of 'shavige’ prepared at home, but most people opt for the commercial version,” details Vijayalakshmi.
The young lord, like any child, is believed to have loved indulging in snack items and varied foods. Parvathi Rajeev, an accountant, says that she fondly remembers playing with her cousins during childhood, while her mother and aunts would be in the kitchen making traditional items like 'chakkli’, 'murukku’ and other savouries. "Festivals were the only time we could eat a lavish feast and would not be scolded for it. Right after the 'puja’, we would stuff ourselves with homemade snacks and be up to some mischief,” recollects Parvathi.
She says that she likes to keep the tradition intact by making most items on the occasion. "Though the present generation is into junk food, I insist on preparing and relishing these homemade items as they are a big part of our tradition,” adds Parvathi.
For most people, all delicacies that are made with jaggery and coconut are exciting additions to the festive spirit. 'Kadabu’ and 'modak’ are some of Sandeep B S’ favourites during this festival. "I also love indulging in 'holige’ and 'puliyogare’ which my mother makes. My mother also makes a 'pongal’-like preparation which is made from jaggery and rice and I thoroughly enjoy it. The comfort of homemade food along with the rich aroma is very enticing,” adds Sandeep.
Anitha Arun Kumar, a businesswoman, adds, "Apart from the food, which is offered to the lord first before it is consumed, the 'prasada’ also includes little books, information pamphlets and pens that we hand out. We make varied specialities for each day — for the day we worship Gauri and the day we worship Ganesha,” says Anitha.
While the themes make it a beautiful sight at Anitha’s house, the delicious offerings make it a foodie’s haven. Anitha’s husband, Arun Kumar, says that their childhood included indulging into 'modaka’ and 'kajjikaye’. "At our place, we make 'chakkli’ , 'kodbale’ and 'rave unde’. We also give out 'kabuli channa masala’ to whoever comes home along with 'arishina kumkuma’,” adds Arun. Anitha says that she makes the traditional 'holige’ for the Gauri 'puja’ that happens the day before 'Ganesha Chaturthi’.
And it’s not just South Indians but also North Indians who celebrate the day in all its gaiety. Manoj Jeswani, unit head with an eye hospital, says that in Maharashtra, the items prepared are different. "On the festival day, 'puran poli’, 'puri bhaji’, rice and vegetables are offered to lord Ganesha before we consume them. 'Poha’, 'sabudana vada’ and 'sabudana khichdi’ are also a big part of the festival,” details Manoj. He adds that they also make 'shankar pada’, 'sweet steamed modak’, 'besan ke laddoo’ and 'karanji’ for the day.