It is rare to see Lord Ganesha being worshipped without modaks in the prasad. Modaks are considered his most beloved sweet, and devotees believe that even if fifty-six types of dishes are offered, Ganpati ji is not pleased unless modaks are included. But do you know why Bappa loves this sweet so much? There are some fascinating legends behind this tradition.
The Broken Tooth Legend
According to a popular story, once Lord Shiva was resting while Ganesha guarded the door. At that time, Sage Parashuram arrived, but Ganesha stopped him from entering. This led to a fierce clash, and in anger, Parashuram struck Ganesha with the axe gifted by Lord Shiva. The blow broke one of Ganesha’s teeth, making it difficult for him to chew food. To comfort him, soft and easy-to-eat modaks were prepared. Ganesha relished them wholeheartedly, and from that day onward, modaks became his favorite dish.
The Story of Mata Anusuya
Another tale is linked to Mata Anusuya. Once, Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, and Ganesha visited her ashram. After being served food, Shiva and Parvati felt satisfied, but Ganesha’s hunger remained unfulfilled despite being fed several delicacies. Concerned, Anusuya finally offered him a sweet dumpling. As soon as Ganesha ate it, he burped, signaling that his hunger was at last satisfied. Interestingly, Lord Shiva also burped 21 times right after.
When Parvati asked about this, Mata Anusuya revealed that the sweet was none other than the modak. Since then, offering 21 modaks during Ganesh puja became a cherished tradition.
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