The delicious side of Ganesh Chaturthi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NEVRI

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

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.

MODAK

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

NEXT: Ganesh Chaturthi: The unique tradition of Matoli