Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha. This festival occurs in the month of August or September.
On this day, the devotees prepare many delicacies for the Lord as Bhog. Lord Ganesha's favorite food is prepared to make the Lord happy so that he can shower the devotees with his blessings.
Laddoo: Laddoo is one of the most favorite dishes of Lord Ganesha. It is mandatory to serve Laddoo to Ganesha as bhog on this day. We have never seen even a single idol or painting of Lord Ganesha without a laddoo. There are five varieties of Laddoos that should be offered to Lord Ganesha: Doodh Laddu; Bessan Laddu; Motichoor Laddu, Kanpuri Laddu & Mewa Modaks. Motichoor Laddu still tops the list.
The next famous dish on this day is Modak, Lord Ganesha loves Modak and that is why he is known as “Modakpriya”. Modak is known by different names in different places. In Telugu, it is known as Modakam or Kudumu; In Kanada, it is known as Modaka or Kadubu; In Tamil Nadu, it is known as Kozhukattai or Modagam. As per rituals, 21 Modaks are offered as bhog to Lord Ganesha eventually served as prasad to the devotees.
Puffed Rice: Lord Ganesha is generous towards the poor as he is too rich. One of the stories in Shiv Purana describes how much Lord Ganesha loved the Puffed rice. The story goes like when Lord Ganesha was invited by Lord Kubera, Ganesha was not satisfied with all the delicious food that was served to him. By following Lord Shiva who told him to offer Ganesh with Puffed rice. When Kubera served Ganesh with Puffed rice after his meal, he was satisfied and happy. This shows how much Ganesha loved puffed rice.
Bananas: Even though, all the seasonal fruits are said to be favorable to Lord Ganesha. Bananas are his all-time favorite.
Durva Grass: Durva grass holds a very significant meaning when associated with Ganesha. Myths say that when Ganesha defeated a demon by swallowing him whole, the demon raged within his tummy which led to indigestion. None of the cures worked until a sage came and offered the Lord with 21 blades of Durva grass. Ganesha consumed them and felt instant relief. Since Ganesha always preferred the Durva grass as a cure to indigestion and so devotees offer 21 blades of Durva grass to the deity.
Apart from the delicacies mentioned above Coconut Rice, Shrikhand, Medu Vada & Payasam are served to Lord Ganesha as Bhog & later distributed among the devotees as Prasadam on Ganesh Chaturthi.
