Enjoy a "small part of bliss" this festive Diwali season

Modak, sometimes referred to as Koḻukattai, and symbolising spiritual knowledge, is an Indian sweet dumpling dish popular around the world.

According to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, it is considered one of the favourite dishes of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, and is therefore offered in prayers, festivals and larger celebrations.

Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, is traditionally worshipped before and during any major festival and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. Diwali is no exception.

The sweet filling on the inside of a modak consists of freshly grated coconut and jaggery, while the outer soft shell is made from rice flour or wheat flour mixed with khava or maida flour.

It is traditionally either fried or steamed, comes in many flavours and is usually served hot with ghee.

Goodness Foods, available at Choithrams.com, has released a new range of holiday modak, in a number of different flavours.

Did you know?

Modak is also considered to be the favourite sweet of Gautama Budda and the sweet parcels are offered to the Buddha during annual birthdays and other celebrations.

Serve modak as a dessert at an Indian meal or gathering, or as sweet snack with a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon.

It's all history

Lord Ganesh or Ganpati is also known ‘Modarpriya’ due to his love of modaks.

History suggests one day Goddess Parvati offered her two sons, Karthik and Ganesh, a modak, which they refused to share. In a bid to create a contest she asked her sons to go three times around the world and the winner would get the modak as a reward.

Legend has it Ganpati walked three circles around his parents (Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) citing them as his world. From then on it was said the Modak was his favourite food.