As the sacred 11 days of Ganesh Chaturthi approach, every corner of the nation comes alive with devotion, echoing with the tunes of Sanatana, and celebrating the divine fragrance and festivity. This festival is not just about celebrating the homecoming of Bappa, but also about manifesting positivity, obstacle-free beginnings, and a harvest of wisdom and mindfulness.
During this time, you might miss anything but not the fragrance of alluring sweets and savouries adorned on decorative platters for sweets. This festival transforms every kitchen into a spiritual station, as pure as Ganga and as expressive as Bhakti. From modaks to puran poli, every bhog dish is a tribute to Bappa and our devotion towards him. But how well do we know about the significance of these dishes, the authentic recipe, and how to present them?
Worry not, in this blog, we will explore 7 spiritually significant dishes, their history, dos and don'ts, and elegant plating ideas- all in one. Let's dive into the blog and make the most of it for a fruitful and devotional journey, this Ganesh Chaturthi.
Let's Make It Clear- Why No Onion or Garlic?
Before we learn how to make the dishes, it's important to understand why onions and garlic are not considered appropriate for any festive meal or spiritual bhog. You see, according to Ayurvedic tradition, food is classified as Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic.
Where Sattvic food like fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fresh dairy products (like milk and ghee), and natural sweeteners- promotes clarity, calmness, and spirituality. Onion and garlic (healthy in some contexts) are counted among Tamasic and Rajasic, believed to stimulate restlessness, affect the temperature of the body and cloud mental clarity.
Hence, during Ganesh Chaturthi, when homes transform into temples and food becomes prasad, Sattvic food is a must to maintain the sanctity of the ritual and offering.
1. Modak - The Divine Delight of Ganesha
Spiritual Significance:
This is not kept hidden. Modak is the most loved sweet of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that after a hectic debate with the gods, Ganesha declared Modak to be his favourite offering. The dish also indicates bliss and inner knowledge- a sweet reward of wisdom and surrender.
What will you need to prepare it?
- Jaggery
- Rice Flour
- Freshly grated coconut
- Ghee and cardamom
Plating Idea:
Arrange steamed Modaks on a leaf-shaped ceramic platter. For bhog, add marigold or jasmine petals around them as a festive touch. Choose modak serving plates with floral patterns or a natural touch, for an elegant presentation.
2. Besan Ladoo - Symbol of Wholeness
Spiritual Significance:
Did you ever notice?
Round, golden, and rich- besan ladoos symbolise completeness and cosmic unity. They are often offered in temples and used in rituals involving the sun and energy.
Key Ingredients, you can't afford to miss:
- Gram flour
- Desi ghee
- Sugar
- Chopped dry fruits
History Connection:
In many Maharashtrian homes, preparing ladoos in large quantities and distributing them to neighbours was a way to bond and share prayer.
Plating Idea:
Since ladoos have bright yellow colours, you can adorn them on light coloured ladoo presentation trays. Or you can also use a handcrafted ceramic plate, and garnish with saffron threads and silver foil.
3. Panchamrit - The Nectar of Purity
Spiritual Significance:
Prepared for indicating unity, purity, and nourishment of body, mind, and spirit, Panchamrit is a holy mixture of five sacred ingredients, and it is also used for abhishek (ritual bathing) and prasad.
Here are the mandatory key ingredients:
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Ghee
- Honey
- Sugar
Plating Idea:
Panchamrit can be served in five small rustic ceramic bowls, each holding one ingredient before mixing. Then, you can garnish a few rose petals or saffron before serving it. You can also use hibiscus flowers, as they are Lord Ganesha's favourite.
4. Puran Poli - A Dish of Inner Sweetness
Spiritual Significance:
This festive sweet flatbread is a symbol of inner kindness, sweetness and love-filled efforts. Preparing it requires patience, which is one of the most sought-after spiritual qualities.
The ingredients you will need for it:
- Chana dal
- Wheat flour
- Jaggery
- Ghee and nutmeg
Historic Incident, You Should Know:
Puran Poli was offered in temples during Ganesh Janmotsav (Ganesha's Birth Celebrations) as a representation of humility and offering the best to the lord.
Plating Idea:
Serve warm puran poli folded in half on decorative platters for sweets, brushed with ghee. Add a small bowl of cardamom milk on the side.
5. Coconut Barfi - Simplicity in Divinity
Spiritual Significance:
Coconut has been considered a symbol of selflessness- every part of it is usable, and its white purity denotes the removal of the gap and pride.
Key Ingredients:
- Grated coconut
- Milk
- Sugar or jaggery
- Cardamom
Plating Idea:
Cut into squares or diamonds on a festive ceramic platter with gold accents and green leaves. You can have a centrepiece decoration with sweets by arranging coconut barfis in concentric circles.
6. Sabudana Kheer - A Gentle Offering for Fasting
Spiritual Significance:
Sabudana, also known as sago, is a popular fasting food and reflects simplicity and digestibility. Kheer, porridge made with sabudana, is often served during the festive days of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Key Ingredients:
- Sabudana
- Milk
- Sugar
- Ghee-roasted nuts
Plating Idea:
Serve in individual ceramic bowls placed on festive serving trays or rustic brown handi. Sprinkle rose petals or crushed almonds over the top. Either way, you can also serve them in banana leaf cups placed on trays for a traditional touch.
7. Dry Fruits & Mishri - Sweetness in Simplicity
Spiritual Significance:
Dry fruits represent abundance and longevity, whereas mishri, i.e. rock sugar, is considered to add sweetness to your speech and purity to your intentions. This small yet rich element is often used in South Indian rituals.
Here's what you can include:
- Mishri
- Almonds, raisins, pistachios
- Dried dates or figs (optional)
Plating Idea:
Use a designer thali for prasad and separate each ingredient into compartments, forming a star or sun pattern. Place a Ganesha idol or flowers in the centre for spiritual focus.
This is how you can transform your kitchen into a spiritually charged feast station. Always remember, purity and devotion are more important than chasing perfection. Hence, you can go for minimal efforts without disturbing authenticity.
Why Tulsi Leaves Are Not Used in Ganesh Chaturthi Offerings
While Tulsi (holy basil) is widely revered in Hindu rituals and considered sacred to Lord Vishnu and Krishna, it should not be used in offerings to Lord Ganesha. In fact, tradition advises against it.
According to the Padma Purana, Tulsi once approached Lord Ganesha with a proposal of marriage, but Lord Ganesha politely declined due to his desire for celibacy and devotion to his divine duties. Due to this incident, Tulsi got offended and cursed Ganesha to be married against his will.
Since then, Tulsi is traditionally avoided in any prasad or offering made to Lord Ganesha, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi. But in place of Tulsi, you can use durva grass, which is dear to Ganesha and is a sign of humility, prosperity, and spiritual richness.
Final Thoughts…
Ever wondered why the same sweet with the same ingredients tastes different when prepared as prasad? The answer lies in intention and the precision we show while putting effort into the offerings.
'Prasadam/Bhog' is not something we make to satisfy hunger, but it is a tribute to the divine, to the one who is with every element. For this, we add jaggery of love, sweetness as sugar, and mould them with warmth and innocence. In those quiet moments of making modaks, we are creating sacred energy, unmatched and highly divine.
Hence, it is important to let your intentions reflect in your actions too. Thus, creating bhog with authentic ingredients and plating them nicely with decorative platters for sweets.
At Kairaus, we craft accents worthy of staging your Bhog and Prasadam. Each of our accents is crafted with love and pure intentions, perfect for the days rich with spirituality and devotion.
