Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival when people talk about Lord Ganesh’s favorite sweets, modaks and laddus. In Hyderabad, modaks are becoming more popular among residents, even though laddus are the main attraction during the festivities. Modaks are made of steamed rice flour with a filling of freshly grated coconut and jaggery. They are offered as a divine treat in homes and pandals during the nine-day celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. Modak enthusiasts find it impossible to resist just one.
Crafting modaks is not easy. The challenge lies in creating the perfect rice flour dough for the delicate wrap. Many households in Hyderabad are now seeking help from modak experts to ensure that these sacred treats are made perfectly.
The Joshi household has been making modaks for ten years. Jyoti Joshi started making modaks after receiving praise from festival-goers. Friends and family started coming to her with requests, and she gladly made this special treat available to everyone. During Ganesh Chaturthi, their home is filled with the divine aromas of coconut and jaggery. They receive orders throughout the nine days of festivities.
Nilam Lahankar, another modak maker, receives a large number of orders every year. She is happy to see that not only Telugu-speaking people but also Tamil and Kannada-speaking residents are interested in this delicacy. However, sometimes accepting all the orders becomes a challenge.
Meena Khandekar and her sister-in-law Prachi Khandekar are busy making modaks and serving customers. They make various types of modaks tailored to their customers’ preferences. Since 2019, they have also started catering to larger orders. This year, they have received an astonishing number of orders, with some intended for gifting. They have even received an order for 600 kilograms of fried modaks.
The popularity of modaks during Ganesh Chaturthi is growing in Hyderabad, and many people are seeking the help of expert modak makers to ensure that these delicious treats are made perfectly.
