Archive · 13 Sep 2026
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.
Modak is described as approximately 2,000 years old.
The sweet has become closely associated with Maharashtra’s Ganeshotsav celebrations.
Ukadiche modak is a popular steamed version made during the festival.
The word “modak” means “something that makes you happy” and translates from Sanskrit as a roundish sweet snack.
Its association with Ganesha may partly reflect the belief that elephants enjoy rice dough and jaggery-coconut.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s devotees and households celebrating Ganeshotsav, with Ganesha associated with the sweet.
- What
- A report describes modak, especially ukadiche modak, as Ganeshotsav’s chief delicacy and says it is about 2,000 years old.
- When
- Modak is eaten during Ganeshotsav; the sweet is described as dating back approximately 2,000 years.
- Where
- Maharashtra, particularly during home and community Ganeshotsav celebrations.
- Why
- Modak became associated with Ganesha partly because elephants are thought to enjoy rice dough and jaggery-coconut, while its name means “something that makes you happy.”
- Age
- Approximately 2,000 years old
- Festival
- Ganeshotsav
- Region
- Maharashtra
- Popular variety
- Ukadiche modak
- Meaning of modak
- “Something that makes you happy”
- Sanskrit description
- A roundish sweet snack similar to a laddoo
- Associated ingredients
- Rice dough and jaggery-coconut