Archive · 7 Sep 2026
How Ganesh Chaturthi's Traditional Modak Became a Gourmet Dessert
Ganesh Chaturthi is a celebration when people prepare special sweets.
One important sweet is called modak.
Traditional ukadiche modak is soft, white, and steamed.
It is made with rice flour and jaggery.
People offer it to Lord Ganesha before eating it themselves.
For many years, families made these sweets at home.
Today, some shops and social-media posts show new versions of modak.
These versions may include chocolate, saffron cream, or biscoff spread.
Ukadiche modak is a traditional sweet associated with Ganesh Chaturthi.
The steamed rice-flour sweet is filled with simmering jaggery and shaped with hand-pleated folds.
Modak is first offered to Lord Ganesha before being eaten by others.
The sweet has traditionally been homemade and closely connected to family celebrations.
Modern mithai shops and social-media posts feature modaks with chocolate ganache, saffron cream, and biscoff spread.
- Who
- Families, mithai shops, and people sharing food on Instagram are associated with the changing modak tradition.
- What
- Traditional ukadiche modak is being adapted into gourmet versions with ingredients such as chocolate ganache, saffron cream, and biscoff spread.
- When
- As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches each year.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra and beyond, including mithai shops and Instagram.
- Why
- The traditional festival sweet is being presented in newer, gourmet forms while remaining associated with the celebration.
- Traditional sweet
- Ukadiche modak
- Festival
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Main ingredients
- Rice flour and jaggery
- Traditional preparation
- Steamed and pleated by hand
- Religious custom
- Offered to Lord Ganesha before others eat it
- New flavors and coatings
- Chocolate ganache, saffron cream, and biscoff spread
- Traditional setting
- Homemade kitchens across Maharashtra and beyond