Ganesh Chaturthi 2021: This is why we offer 21 Modaks to Lord Ganesha

The colour and joyous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is here and this 10-day festival is incomplete with a delicious dose of modaks, which is also known as Kozhakattai in Tamil, Modhaka or Kadubu in Kannada and Kudumu in Telugu. If we go by the Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesh loved laddoo, modak and all other sweets and that’s why we also call him Modakpriya. Today, we will tell you the story behind his love for modaks and why 21 modaks are offered to him as bhog during the festival. (Image: istock)

Once Lord Shiva visited Anusuya at her home in the forest along with Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha. On their visit, Anusuya first served food to Lord Ganesha and she said that she would serve Lord Shiva only once Ganesha’s hunger is satiated. During the meal, she served him a single piece of sweetened food. Lord Ganesha gave a sign of fullness with a loud burp after eating the sweet food. Interestingly, the moment Ganesh burped, Lord Shiva also burped not once but 21 times. (Image: istock)

As per scriptures, when Lord Shiva burped 21 times and Goddess Parvati got to know that it’s modak that satiated both of them, that's when she expressed a wish that devotees of Ganpati will always offer 21 modaks to him. Since then, he has been offered modaks in different parts of the country, where local flavours are added to the delightful balls, which are either deep fried or steamed. (Image: istock)

All these are beliefs and we don’t know how far these beliefs are true. The good thing is that during these 10 days we get to relish this beautiful delight that has crossed many culinary innovations and is now celebrated more than just a bhog. (Image: istock)