ImportMaster at 21:20, 21 January 2023

2023-01-21T21:20:37Z

106.222.61.50 at 03:13, 22 August 2021

2021-08-22T03:13:47Z

New page

{{refimprove|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Modak
| image = Ukadiche Modak (Rice).jpg
| caption =
| alternate_name =
| country = [[India]]
| region = [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], Japan
| course = [[dessert]]
| type = [[Dumpling]]
| served =
| main_ingredient = [[Rice flour]], or [[wheat flour|wheat]] and [[maida flour]], [[coconut]], [[jaggery]]
| variations = Kangidan (歓喜団)
| calories =
| other =
|Countries=India, Japan}}

'''Modak''' ([[Marathi language|Marathi]]: मोदक; [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: 歓喜団) is an [[Cuisine of India|Indian]] sweet dumpling dish popular in many Indian states and cultures. According to [[Hinduism|Hindu]] belief, it is considered one of the favourite dishes of [[Lord Ganesha]] and is therefore used in prayers.<ref name="favourite"/> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://food.ndtv.com/recipe-modak-287978|title=Modak Recipe}}</ref>

There are two types of Modak, fried and steamed. The steamed version (called ''ukdiche modak'')<ref>{{cite news|title= Jatra gets its flavour from Maharashtra for authentic taste|url=https://timesofindia.com/city/indore/jatra-gets-its-flavour-from-maharashtra-for-authentic-taste/articleshow/60988483.cms|location=[[Indore]]|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=7 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> is often eaten hot with [[ghee]].

==Name variations==
[[File:Modak offered to Lord Ganesh.jpg|thumb|upright|Modak offered to Lord Ganesh]]
It is called ''modak'' (मोदक) in [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]; ''modhaka'' in [[Kannada]]; ''modhakam'' or ''[[kozhakkattai]]'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]]; and ''kudumu'' or "madhaka" in [[Telugu language|Telugu]].

==Religious significance==
===Hinduism===
Modak is considered to be the favourite sweet of the [[Hindu]] deity, [[Ganesha]].<ref name="favourite">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/a-modak-by-any-other-name/article19552392.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|title=A modak by any other name|last=Chef Mandaar Sukhtankar|date=24 August 2017|access-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> From it he gets the moniker '''modakapriya''' (one who likes modak) in Sanskrit.The word modak means "small part of Bliss" and it symbolises Spiritual Knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-09-14|title=Why is Ganapati with the right Sided trunk not commonly worshipped ?|url=https://www.sanatan.org/en/a/77.html|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Sanatan Sanstha|language=en-US}}</ref>
During [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], the [[puja (Hinduism)|puja]] usually concludes with an offering of 21 or 101
modaks to Ganesha.Modaks made with rice flour shells are often preferred for this purpose, although wheat shell versions are also used. Local businesses outside Ganesh Temples across India usually sell pre-packed/ready-made versions of Modaks.

===Japan===
In Japan, a sweet similar to modak and known locally as ''kangidan'' (歓喜団), is offered to god [[Kangiten]], the Japanese version of Lord Ganesha. Kangidans are made from curds, honey, and red bean paste. They are wrapped in kneaded dough made from parched flour and shaped like a bun before they are deep fried.

==Varieties==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Type
!Characteristics
|-
|Steamed Modak (Ukadiche Modak in [[Marathi language]])
|Made of coconuts and Sugar/jaggery. This variation is especially prepared during the time of Ganesh Festival. They are hand-made and cooked in a steamer. They are perishable and need to be consumed immediately.<ref name="Ukadiche modak">{{cite book|last=Khanna|first=Vikas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSTRAQAAQBAJ&q=mo&pg=PT36|title=SAVOUR MUMBAI: A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA's MELTING POT|publisher=Westland Limited|year=2013|location=New Delhi|isbn=9789382618959}}</ref>{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x [https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=RwMRaDxJcWwC&oi=fnd&pg=PT10&dq=reejhsinghani+1975&ots=7tCOTMqLfS&sig=m-iuxigNuXLGt5_NlzJwfeXX8k4#v=onepage&q=modakas&f=false]}}<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last1=Reejhsinghani|first1=Aroona|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RwMRaDxJcWwC&q=modakas&pg=PT10|title=Delights from Maharashtra|date=1975|isbn=9788172245184|location=New Delhi}}</ref>
|-
|Fried Modak
|Deep fried in oil instead of being steamed. Frying makes the modaks last longer and have a different taste.<ref>[http://www.boldsky.com/cookery/sweet-tooth/indian-sweets/modak-recipes-ganesh-chaturthi/types-of-modak-pf220-031027.html Modak]</ref>
|-
|Mawa Modak
|These are [[khoa]] (Milk solids) based preparations that are shaped like a Modak. A variety of flavors can be obtained by addition of materials such as pistachio, cardamom, chocolate, and almond.
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center">
File:ModakSL370103.JPG|Modak offered in a [[Ganesh]] Puja
File:ModakSL370105.JPG|Modak close up
File:ModakSL370104.JPG
File:ModakSL370112.JPG|Inner side with vertical cut
File:ModakSL370115.JPG|Inner side with vertical cut
File:Modak.JPG
File:Modak Khajrana Indore.jpg|Modak for offering in [[Khajrana Ganesh Temple]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{portal|Food}}
* [[List of dumplings]]
* [[List of Indian sweets and desserts]]
* [[Maharashtrian cuisine]]
* [[Ganesh]]
* [[Ganesh Chaturthi]]
* [[Mantou]]
* [[Mandu (dumpling)|Mandu]]
* [[Manti (dumpling)|Manti]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8JVgvGltnA Kozhukattai in Tamil literature]

{{Ganesha}}
{{Dumplings}}

[[Category:Dumplings]]
[[Category:Indian desserts]]
[[Category:Maharashtrian cuisine]]
[[Category:Goan cuisine]]
[[Category:Konkani cuisine]]
[[Category:Hindu symbols]]
[[Category:Foods containing coconut]]
[[Category:Ganesha]]

Modak - Revision history

ImportMaster at 21:20, 21 January 2023

106.222.61.50 at 03:13, 22 August 2021