The delicious side of Ganesh Chaturthi

Arti Das

NAIVAIDYA

The ritual of offering food to the god, Ganesha, consists of a variety of sweets (such as  modak, nevri, etc) as well as a special meal made on the day of Chaturthi.

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | naivaidya | PHOTO: Arti Das

TAYA (HARTALIKA PUJA)

This is the worship of goddess Parvati (or Gauri), which is usually held a day before Chaturthi, when a special type of patoli is made, which contains no stuffing or salt. It is locally known as Moni Patoli.

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | Taya | Hartalika Puja | patoli | PHOTO: Arti Das

FIVE GREENS

On the day of Taya (Hartalika Puja), a vegetable made of five different leafy greens is a must. These greens are rich in antioxidants, zinc and fiber and differ from region to region as they are locally sourced.

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | Taya | Hartalika Puja | PHOTO: Arti Das

KHATKHATE

Among all the dishes prepared during Chaturthi, the most common is Khatkhate, which is a coconut gravy-stew containing a variety of local vegetables, tubers, etc. It bears the distinct flavour of tefal spice, which grows wild locally.

 

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | Khatkhate | PHOTO: Arti Das

PANCH KHAJYA

This consists of 5 deep fried items in 5 different shapes. Basically, it is a wheat flour pastry, stuffed with chickpea flour and a jaggery-based paste. It usually comes in the shape of nevri, modak, star, toffee, etc.

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | Panch Khajya | PHOTO: Arti Das

NEVRI

This crescent-shaped, deep fried flour parcel, stuffed with a sweet or spicy stuffing, is what defines Goa’s Chaturthi festivities. 

 

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | nevri | PHOTO: Arti Das

FESTIVE THALI

Some dishes in a typical Chaturthi thali are Gaathi (a curry made of moong beans), Vatanyache Tonak (a curry made of white peas), Khatkhate (a vegetable stew), a green vegetable dish, usually made of colocasia leaves, etc.

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | thali | PHOTO: Arti Das

MODAK

A variety of modaks — the favourite food of Lord Ganesha — are served on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

 

Ganesh Chaturthi | food | modak | PHOTO: Arti Das

NEXT: Ganesh Chaturthi: The unique tradition of Matoli

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