Modak, Ganeshotsav’s Signature Sweet, Dates Back 2,000 Years

Modak is a sweet food eaten during Ganeshotsav.

Many people in Maharashtra make it when they welcome Ganesha into their homes.

The steamed version is called ukadiche modak.

Although it feels like a special festival food, modak is said to be about 2,000 years old.

The word modak means something that makes people happy.

In Sanskrit, it describes a round-shaped sweet snack like a laddoo.

Modak became linked with Ganesha partly because elephants are thought to enjoy rice dough and jaggery-coconut.

That is why the sweet is considered one of Ganesha’s favourite foods.