9 Ganesh/Ganpati Chaturthi Traditional Recipes for Prasad

Traditional recipes to celebrate the glory of Ganpati Chaturthi | Authentic traditional sweet/savour recipes that will make your Ganpati Utsav more special and spiritual. The arrival of India’s one of the biggest holiday seasons after Diwali means that there will be plenty of delicious ganesh/ganpati chaturthi traditional recipes for Bhog Prasad. One of the most anticipated events of the season is the grand celebration of Ganesh/Ganpati Chaturthi, also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’, in Maharashtra.

Related: Holy Ganesh Chaturthi: Muhurat, Decoration, Do’s and Don’ts

What are the easy recipes on Ganpati Chaturthi in India?

There are very common recipes on Ganesh/Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes for vegetarians as given following:

1. Modak (Kozhukattai, south Indian delicacy also known as Modak in local language)
2. Ladoo (Rava, Besan, coconut etc.)
3. Barfi
4. Puran Poli
5. Srikhand
6. Sundal
7. Sabudana Vada
8. Kheer (Ragi or Rice)
9. Basundi
10. Coconut Rice
11. Paal Payasam
12. Satori
13. Sheera (or Banana Sheera)
14. Mawa Gujiya
15. Seviya Kheer
16. Moong Dal Modak

These are the dishes that complete the festival, take a look above at some of the must-haves.

Here are 10 of the most favorite Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes for Bhog Prasad:

1. Bappa’s favourite Bhog: ‘Modak’

Modak is considered Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet and the most famous ganpati chaturthi traditional recipes. This traditional recipe features a soft, steamed outer layer made from rice flour and filled with a delicious coconut and jaggery mixture.

• Fried Modak:

Fried Modak is an easy-to-make variation where the modaks are deep-fried instead of steamed. The pleating is simpler but they still have the signature coconut and jaggery filling.

• Ukadiche Modak:

Ukadiche Modak is the classic steamed modak recipe. The soft, fluffy outer layer is made from rice flour and stuffed with a coconut and jaggery filling.

Classic Modak Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour

1 cup water

1 tsp ghee

A pinch of salt

For the filling:

1 cup grated fresh coconut

1 cup jaggery (grated)

1 tsp cardamom powder

A few saffron strands (optional)

Classic Modak Recipe Method:

• Boil water in a pan. Add salt and ghee.
• Gradually add rice flour while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cover and let it steam for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and knead into a smooth dough.
• In another pan, melt jaggery, then add grated coconut. Cook till the mixture is slightly dry.
• Add cardamom powder and saffron. Mix well.
• Take small portions of the dough, flatten it, and fill with the coconut mixture. Shape into modaks.
• Steam the modaks for 10-12 minutes. Serve warm.

2. Puran Poli

Puran Poli is considered the second favorite traditional recipe for bhog prasad on ganpati chaturthi. A sweet flatbread stuffed with a lentil and jaggery filling. It’s a popular offering during Ganesh/ Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipe as well for other festivals.

Puran Poli Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup chana dal (split Bengal gram)

1 cup jaggery (grated)

1 tsp cardamom powder

2 cups wheat flour

A pinch of turmeric

Water as needed

Ghee for cooking

Puran Poli Recipe Method:

• Cook the chana dal in a pressure cooker until soft. Drain the water and mash the dal.
• In a pan, cook the mashed dal with jaggery on low heat until it thickens. Add cardamom powder and let it cool.
• In a bowl, mix wheat flour, turmeric, and water to form a soft dough. Knead well and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Divide the dough into balls and the puran (filling) into smaller balls.
• Roll out a dough ball into a small disc, place the puran ball in the center, and fold the dough over it. Flatten it and roll it out gently into a thin poli.
• Cook the poli on a hot tawa (griddle) with ghee until golden on both sides. Serve hot with more ghee.

3. Karanji (Gujiya) – For Bhog on Ganpati Chaturthi Traditional Recipes

Karanji is a deep-fried pastry shell filled with a sweet coconut and jaggery mixture, shaped into a crescent moon. It’s a must-have during the festival and is a popular item in Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes.

Karanji (Gujiya) Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)

2 tbsp semolina (rava)

2 tbsp ghee

Water as needed

Oil for deep frying

For the filling:

1 cup grated coconut (dry or fresh)

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp cardamom powder

1 tbsp poppy seeds (khuskhus)

1 tbsp chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)

Karanji (Gujiya) Recipes Method:

• In a bowl, mix all-purpose flour, semolina, and ghee. Add water and knead into a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• For the filling, roast the grated coconut lightly until golden. Mix in powdered sugar, cardamom powder, poppy seeds, and chopped nuts.
• Divide the dough into small balls and roll each ball into a thin disc.
• Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the disc. Fold it over to form a half-moon shape and seal the edges by pressing them with your fingers or using a fork.
• Deep fry the Karanji in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and let them cool before serving.

4. The Panchamrit Prasad

This holy Ayurvedic concoction, also known as Panchamrut, is made up of five key components. Because of its therapeutic qualities, it is offered in Hindu ceremonies and is an integral part of Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes. In religious rites and spiritual observances, this traditional elixir—which is made of yogurt, milk, honey, holy basil (tulsi), and ghee—is essential.

The Panchamrit Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp ghee

1 tbsp yogurt

1 tbsp sugar

2-3 basil leaves

The Panchamrit Recipe Method: Mix all ingredients in a bowl and gently add basil leaves. Serve as prasad.

5. Masale Bhaat

Masale Bhaat is a flavorful spiced rice dish made with a variety of vegetables like ivy gourd, eggplant, potatoes, carrots, peas and cauliflower. It’s often served as a complete one-pot meal.

Masale Bhaat Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice

2 tbsp oil/ghee

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1-2 bay leaves, 2 cloves, 1-inch cinnamon stick

1 tbsp goda masala

1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chili powder

1 cup mixed vegetables

Salt to taste

2 cups water

Coriander leaves for garnish

Method: Cook spices and vegetables in oil. Add rice and water, simmer until done. Garnish and serve hot.

6. Katachi Amti

Katachi Amti is a thin, tangy, and spicy lentil-based soup made from the strained liquid of cooked chana dal. A beloved dish in Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes, it’s typically served with puran poli or steamed rice.

Katachi Amti Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup chana dal

2 cups water

2 tbsp tamarind pulp, 2 tbsp jaggery

1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds

2-3 dried red chilies

1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp goda masala, pinch of asafoetida

Salt to taste

Coriander leaves for garnish

Method: Cook dal and strain. Sauté spices, add strained water, tamarind, jaggery, and simmer. Garnish and serve hot.

7. A Mouth-watering snack on Ganpati Chaturthi ‘Kothimbir Vadi’

Kothimbir Vadi is one of the popular Maharashtrian delicacies which is a must-prepare for Ganpati Chaturthi. These crispy fritters, loaded with the freshness of coriander, are an essential part of Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes and are best enjoyed with a cup of tea in the afternoon.

Kothimbir Vadi Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup besan

1 cup chopped coriander

1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chili powder

1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp sesame seeds

Pinch of asafoetida, salt to taste

Oil for frying

Method: Mix ingredients into a batter, steam, cut, and fry until golden. Serve hot.

8. Rushichi Bhaji

Rushichi Bhaji is eaten on the day after Ganesh Chaturthi, known as Rushi Panchami, because it’s a special dish for women and is cooked on a women’s festival. It’s also a nutritious vegetarian stew made with many vegetables, and each family has its own recipe. Rishi Panchami is the fifth day of the Bhadrapad month in the lunar calendar. It also happens to be the second day of the Ganpati Festival. On this day, seven sages (Sapta Rishis) are worshipped. Women usually observe a fast and consume rushichi bhaji (in Marathi) as part of a fasting meal. This dish is a cherished part of Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes.

Rushichi Bhaji Recipe

Ingredients:

2-3 types of leafy greens

1 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds

2-3 slit green chilies

1 tbsp peanut powder

Salt to taste

Fresh coconut for garnish

Method: Sauté spices and chilies in oil, add greens and cook. Mix in peanut powder, garnish with coconut, and serve.

9. A Sweet Flat bread ‘Satori’:

   This sweet and delicious flatbread variation, also known as Khavyachi Satori, comes with several stuffing options. Although khoya or mawa is the filling used in the traditional version, cashew, pumpkin, and gulkand fillings are also available. Satori, a cherished item in Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes, can transform every regular day into a joyous occasion, and its sweet and festive aroma is often used to embellish Maharashtrian New Year events like Gudi Padwa.

Satori recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup mawa

1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp semolina

½ cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp cardamom powder

2 tbsp ghee, pinch of salt

Milk as needed

Ghee for frying

Satori recipe Method: Knead flour, semolina, ghee, and milk into dough. Roast mawa with sugar and cardamom. Fill dough balls with mawa, flatten, and fry. Serve warm.

These dishes are an integral part of Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes in India, offered to Lord Ganesha as bhog (sacred offerings). If you love food and enjoy cooking nutritious recipes for yourself and your loved ones, consider taking culinary courses at NFCI. NFCI provides practical training and essential skills to help students not only eat healthily but also start their own business ventures in the industry. Want to learn more about us or explore additional Ganpati Chaturthi traditional recipes? Check out our videos on YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook and start learning today!

What can you not eat during Ganesh Chaturthi?

It is advised not to cook or consume onion or garlic until after the Lord Ganesh sthapna is completed and till his departure (visarjan). Similar to other Hindu holidays, throughout the 10-day celebration it is forbidden to consume eggs, tobacco, alcohol, and non-vegetarian food.

Which food is Ganesha’s favorite?

Modak is one of Lord Ganesha’s favorite dishes. These steamed rice flour dumplings are filled with delicious fillings. Since Lord Ganpati loves moong dal, moong dal modaks are a perfect choice to make Bappa happy. Most idols of Ganesha are depicted holding modaks in their hands.