Mumbai: On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees offer Lord Ganesha his favourite sweet—Modak. It is believed that without offering Modak, the Ganesh Chaturthi puja remains incomplete. Traditionally, 21 Modaks are offered to Bappa, a term of endearment for Lord Ganesha, also known as Lambodar.
Why Modak Became Lord Ganesha’s Favourite Sweet
The significance of Modak can be traced back to an ancient tale from the Puranas. According to this mythological story, Lord Shiva had once given Parashurama an axe as a boon. One day, Parashurama arrived at the gates of Lord Shiva’s abode, only to be stopped by Lord Ganesha, who was guarding the entrance. A battle ensued, and Parashurama struck Ganesha with the axe, breaking one of his tusks.
With a broken tusk, Ganesha struggled to chew food. Witnessing her son’s discomfort, Goddess Parvati prepared soft Modaks, which he could eat without much effort. From then on, Modak became Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet, and offering it during Ganesh Chaturthi became a customary practice.
Why 21 Modaks Are Offered to Lord Ganesha
Another story from the Puranas explains why 21 Modaks are offered during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. When Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Ganesha visited Rishi Atri’s wife, Goddess Anusuya, in the forest, Ganesha was given various dishes to satisfy his hunger. However, despite eating everything, his hunger remained unfulfilled. Only after Goddess Anusuya offered him a sweet, which turned out to be a Modak, did Ganesha feel full.
At this moment, Lord Shiva burped 21 times, symbolising his satisfaction. Since then, the tradition of offering 21 Modaks to Lord Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi puja has become an integral part of the ritual.
The offering of 21 Modaks to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi holds deep religious and mythological significance. This sweet tradition stems from stories in the Puranas and highlights Ganesha’s fondness for Modak, a sweet that completes the puja rituals. Spirituality Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
