Food for Ganesh Chaturthi 2024
Are you ready to make the most delicious food for Ganesh Chaturthi? This year, Ganesh Chaturthi begins on September 7, 2024, and, as usual, lasts 10-days.
I’ve complied a list of 35 (yes, you read that right — thirty five!) incredible Ganesh Chaurthi recipes from expert Indian food bloggers all over the world. You’ll find all the recipes you need to cook up a storm over the festival period.
🕉️ What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important Hindu festivals. It celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, a Hindu God known as the “Remover of Obscales” and “God of New Beginnings.”
Lord Ganesha (also known as Ganesh, Ganpati, or Vinayaka) is the son of Lord Shiva and his wife Paravati. He is depicted as having an elephant head and the body of a man, although he has four arms.
Festivities last for ten days and begin by lavishly decorating murti (statues) of Lord Ganesha. Clay is the most commonly used material since it’s eco-friendly. The murti are placed in people’s homes and on large pandals (temporary stages) in city centres.
Once erected, the Hindu priests conduct a ritual known as prana pratishta (infusing life force), to bring the essence of Lord Ganesha into every murti.
Twice daily, devotees pray to Lord Ganesha. This is called puja (prayer), accompanied by aarti (chanting from Vedic scriptures). Devotees also make food offerings to Lord Ganesha known as Prasad — more about this later — and are distributed around the family or community.
On the tenth and final day, following a large procession, the clay murti are submerged in local rivers in a ritual known as uttarpuja. Lord Ganesha is then said to return to his home on Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain in the Himalayas.
🍌 Food for Ganesh Chaturthi
Food is a vital part of the festivities surrounding Ganesh Chaturthi! Furthermore, as with most Hindu festivals, it is always vegetarian.
Many people fast as an act of devotion throughout Ganesh Chaturthi. However, this doesn’t always mean completely abstaining from food; devotees may avoid ginger, garlic, or onion, plus certain spices and grains. Fasting practices vary from family to family, so it’s always best to ask in advance if you want to prepare food for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Vitally, food offered as prasad must be made with love and include all-fresh ingredients. To clarify: Don’t offer leftovers or foods which have been stored.
🥥 Ganesh Chaturthi Modak Recipes
Because many different states across India and Nepal celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the foods vary, with special regional recipes common. However, modak is the most commonly made food for Ganesh Chaturthi. Why? Well, modak is said to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite food!
So, without further ado, let’s cover eight unique modak recipes, from the classic ukadiche modak (steamed modak) to the modern Oreo modak:
Ukadiche Modak
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
The most beloved of all modak recipes, ukadiche modak has an outer layer of soft steamed rice flour. Inside, the ukadiche modak is stuffed with a surprise: nutty, jaggery-sweetened roasted coconut gently spiced with cardamom.
Oats Modak
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
A highly nutritious variation on a traditional modak recipe, these unique yet showstopping oats modak are a must-try when you need festive treats without the hassle — they only take 15 minutes to make and have all the signature flavours we love.
Chocolate Modak
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Chocolate lovers unite! While festivals are usually all about traditional treats, these chocolate modak are a fun and modern take on the classic dessert. They’re packed with the rich, dark, and complex flavours of chocolate, plus the creaminess of khoya.
Pottukadalai Kozhukattai
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Although Maharashtra is most well-known for modak, South India has its own distinctively delicious variations, including this pottukadalai kozhukattai! While the outer layer is a typical soft rice flour dough, the inside has a uniquely protein-filled, nutty and sweet roasted chana filling.
Oreo Modak
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Taking chocolate modak to a whole new level are these devilishly good-looking Oreo modak. As the name suggests, the outer covering is made from rich Oreo cookies, and the modak is then stuffed with the Oreo cream mixed with coconut. It’s a no-cook instant recipe — great for the last minute.
Rice Paper Modak Rolls
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
We’re betting you haven’t seen this recipe before, but why not combine Asian and Indian flavours? Rice paper modak rolls feature traditional modak filling wrapped in soft rice paper rolls. What’s more, they’re fun (and non-intimidating) for children to help make!
Mawa Modak
🌱V*, 🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Indulgence at all levels, these mawa modak are truly decadent and worthy of any festival! Made entirely from mild solids (mawa) slowly caramelised with sugar, Lord Ganesha will love these treats — and so are you! *This mawa modak recipe is vegan if you use oil to grease the modak moulds.
Mango Modak
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Fruity, vibrant, and filled with the sweet aroma of mangoes — mango modak combine two of the most iconic Maharashtrian desserts: mango puree (aamras) and modak. Combine gorgeous mango puree with creamy khoya to make this Ganesh Chaturthi treat.
Fried Modak
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF.
One of the most widespread modak recipes, this fried modak is a real crowd-pleaser. They feature the same stuffing as ukadiche modak, except the dough is a crispy, crunchy, and golden-brown wheat-based shell. Offering an utterly different texture, they are a must-try Ganesh Chaturthi food.
Malai Modak
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Paneer isn’t just for savoury recipes! This ultra-creamy and rich malai modak recipe uses crumbled paneer mixed with condensed milk and fragrant sweet spices to make an irresistible, yet quick dessert perfect for Ganesh Chaturthi. What’s more, you’ll need just three ingredients.
Konkani Banana Modak (Kele Mulik)
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF.
This recipe hails from the Mangalore Konkani region and is quite distinct from other modak. Made from a batter of mashed bananas, coconut, jaggery, flour and seasonings, the modak is dropped into hot oil and fried until golden brown. Delicious!
🚩Maharashtrian Foods for Ganesh Chaturthi
In many ways, Maharashtra is at the forefront of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Although the festival is widely observed across India, we can thank the modern popularity of Ganesh Chaturthi to Maharashtra.
It’s theorised that the festival was first celebrated during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the 17th century. However, it fell out of popularity and was later resurrected during the 19th century, when one of India’s most monumental freedom fighters, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, revived the festival as part of India’s independence movement.
Now, in the modern day, Ganesh Chaturthi is associated with Maharashtrian pride and to some degree, Hindu nationalism.
Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is home to awe-inspiring annual Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Pune — the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj — also celebrates with much fever.
Needless to say, Maharashtrian recipes are a must-try if you’re making food for Ganesh Chaturthi. Furthermore, aside from the modak recipes listed above (modak are Marathi too!), here are some other foods for Ganesh Chaturthi that shine a light on Marathi cuisine, including sheera, puran poli, karanji, and basundi, along with many others!
Karanji
🫘 SF.
Buttery, crisp pastries stuffed with dried coconut, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sugar, nuts, and aromatic spices — karanji is a festive Maharashtrian dessert that brings the wow factor. This recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring less than 30 minutes of hands-on cooking time.
Rava Ladoo
🫘 SF.
Rava ladoo is beloved in Western and South India, particularly in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. This recipe features ghee-roasted semolina mixed with nuts, sugar, and milk, then rolled into balls called ladoo. They’re a must-have for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Seviyan Kheer
🫘 SF.
Sweetened, thickened, creamy milk flavoured with cardamom powder, rose water, and floral saffron is the base of this seviyan kheer, which is finished with fine roasted vermicelli noodles, raisins, nuts, and rose petals — for a royal finish. It’s highly adaptable and great for festive thalis.
Konkani Hog Plum Curry
🌱V, 🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
A unique recipe from the Konkan region of Maharashtra and Goa, this simply spiced yet fiery curry uses a seasonal fruit called hog plum. Moreover, Helene, the recipe developer, says her neighbour would always make this curry for Ganesh Chaturthi and share a bowl with her family.
Gulkand Shrikhand Tarts
🫘 SF.
Invention fusion cooking just got even more exciting with these gulkand-flavoured shrikhand tarts. Traditional shrikhand (sweetened and thickened yoghurt) is enriched with floral rose flavours and then spooned into a rich biscuit base. We’re obsessed with this out-of-the-box thinking!
Sabudana Vada
🌱V, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
The perfect vrat (fasting) recipe for any festival, sabudana vada is irresistibly crispy. Believe it or not, you only need potatoes, tapioca pearls, roasted peanuts, green chillis, zesty fresh chopped coriander leaves, cumin seeds, sugar, and rock salt. It’s a recipe I look forward to all year round!
Puran pOLI
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF.
Picture fresh, soft chapati dough (poli) hiding a stuffing of cooked chana dal mixed with sugar and nutmeg. Slather it with ghee and milk, and you have a winner. Puran poli is the ultimate festive dessert, and guess what? Ganesh Chaturthi is a great occasion to showcase your skills.
Sheera
🫘 SF.
One of the easiest festive desserts to cook (even for beginners!) sheera is the Maharashtrian version of sooji halwa — semolina cooked in sugar, cardamom, saffron, and water until it is light, fluffy, soft, and gorgeously buttery. It’s topped with crunchy nuts and pretty rose petals.
basundi
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
An extremely traditional and straightforward dessert, basundi can also be described as a drink. Follow this delicious recipe to make thickened sweet milk that’s unbelievably creamy — and besides, it’s the perfect accompaniment to other food for Ganesh Chaturthi or a festival thali!
🥘 South Indian Vinayaka Chaturthi Recipes
In South India, where Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as Vinayaka Chaturthi, the celebrations are similar to those in Maharashtra.
However, you’ll find a lot of foods focusing on coconut — an important aspect of any Hindu religious celebrations, like coconut rice and coconut ladoo. Other festive delicacies include sundal, payasam, and kozhukattai, amongst others.
Typically, South Indian food for Ganesh Chaturthi is served on fresh banana leaves.
Rava Kudumulu
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF.
Requiring only six ingredients, this recipe from Andhra Pradesh is found in every home during Ganesh Chaturthi. Furthermore, the steamed dumplings are made from semolina cooked in jaggery syrup with coconut, ghee, and cardamom, resulting in a beautiful texture. It’s no wonder they’re beloved!
Kala Chana Sundal
🌱V, 🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF* with pure asafoetida.
Healthy, nutritious, and oh-so-flavoursome; kala chana sundal is full of protein and the ideal snack for busy festive days. Soaked and boiled nutty black chickpeas are tempered with lentils, spices, coconut, and citrusy curry leaves. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and you’re sorted for the evening!
Kobbari Undrallu
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Anyone for a snack? This recipe features kobbari undrallu, an Andhra-style dumpling made from raw rava, ghee, chana dal, coconut, and cumin seeds. The steamed dumplings are highly aromatic and ideal for serving with vegetable sambar or chutney as prasad/naividya for Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Banana Appam
🌱V*, 🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF *by omitting ghee.
Bananas are believed to be one of Lord Ganesha’s favourite fruits. That’s why recipes showcasing bananas are considered so auspicious, and this banana appam is no different. It’s a unique snack made from bananas, rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and earthy, warming spices.
Payatham Paruppu Sundal (Moong dal Sundal)
🌱V, 🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF* with pure asafoetida.
Unlike many other sundal recipes, this easy, 10-minute payatham paruppu sundal doesn’t require any soaking or in-advance prep work. Additionally, the mild taste of moong dal is paired with lemony curry leaves, red and green chillis, mustard, and fresh coconut.
Semiya Payasam
🫘 SF.
Although similar in many ways to seviyan kheer, this South Indian version called semiya payasam is, if possible, even richer and creamier. Lessen the load of a busy festive kitchen with this easy instant-pot recipe which uses condensed milk — significantly cutting the cooking time.
Coconut Almond Ladoo
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Coconut ladoo are a mainstay food for Ganesh Chaturthi. Almond flour mixed into the dough adds an extra touch of luxury, lending a stunning sweetness and a touch of subtle bitterness. Besides, the recipe only needs 5 ingredients, although you’d never believe it!
🥮 Other Foods Worthy of Festivals
Why not serve some of your classic festive favourites for Ganesh Chaturthi?
I’m talking about ladoo, halwa, and peda (among others!). While they aren’t specifically famously served at Ganesh Chaturthi, there’s no doubt these scrumptious recipes make for an awe-inspiring festive spread.
Moreover, I’ve included some truly jaw-dropping fusion recipes that are bound to have everyone talking about your cooking skills!
Sweet Potato Milk Peda
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
If you want to be praised for serving inventive, unique desserts, look no further than this recipe for peda made with caramelised sweet potatoes cooked in ghee and milk. They’re vibrant, deliciously honeyed, and above all else, fast — this is an instant peda recipe.
Churma Ladoo
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF.
Churma ladoo are beloved in Gujarat and Rajasthan, but in Gujarat specifically, they are an essential element of any Ganesh Chaturthi thali. It’s made with mixed flour, ghee, jaggery, spices, sugar candy, and white poppy seeds … doesn’t it sound good?! Luckily you can try the recipe…
Coconut Paan Ladoo
🥜 NF, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Combine the sophisticatedly refreshing paan and nutty coconut flavours into one dessert: coconut paan ladoo. Making the treat is easy, and so is finishing them off! Besides, why not stuff the ladoo with a mixture of gulkhand and sugar-coated fennel?
Banana Halwa
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
No flour, milk, or grains are in this recipe — just the mouth-watering taste of sweet bananas thickened with sugar. It’s a hidden gem of a delicacy from Mangalore (Karnataka), Kerala, and the Konkan area that’s well worth trying for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Besan Ladoo
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Besan ladoo is one of India’s most popular desserts, and there’s no question about why! This easy recipe gives a fool-proof method for making nutty, soft, and irresistible besan ladoo. Comparatively, they’re as tasty as any you’d buy from a sweet shop.
Sooji no Siro
🥜 NF*, 🫘 SF, 🍞 GF *omit the garnish.
We’ve already shared a recipe for Maharashtrian sheera, but this Gujarati-style sooji no siro is made with milk, resulting in a richer mouthfeel and tempting creaminess. Furthermore, Hayley recommends garnishing it with auspicious tulsi (Indian holy basil) for festivals.
Gajar Ladoo
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
We all know gajar halwa, but have you tried gajar ladoo? This recipe is the perfect opportunity to take the humble carrot to whole new levels, transforming the vegetable into mouth-in-the-mouth ladoo packed with natural sweetness.
Caramel Badam Malai Peda
🫘 SF, 🍞 GF.
Nobody can resist falling in love with this fusion-style peda, which mixes the traditional creamy almond fudge-like dessert with sticky, sweet caramel. The result? Something your friends, family, and guests will be raving about for years to come. Worth saving for a festive occasion!
Wonderful collection of recipes. Thanks for including mine. Pinning it now! 🙂
Thank you for contributing so many of your gorgeous recipes, Hari! I hope all my readers will love making them 😍 And thank you for pinning!