Ganpati Utsav or Ganesh Chaturthi is that time of the year which is filled with happy energy in India. Be it making food/ Prasadam for him or decorating him with flowers and fabrics, it’s all a form of happiness from the within.

This year I found my happy space creating a small Ganesha with Ira. We sat down as a family and painted a little clay Ganesha and decorated him with beads and a fabric turban. Being the foodie god, if I may say so, it's that time of the year, when everyone is busy making all kinds of modaks and ladoos.

I grew up watching my grandmother make Ela Adda (a typical sweet snack made from rice flour, coconut shavings and jaggery) for every Onam. This year, the time around Ganesh Utsav and Atham (first day of Onam) fall together.

I decided to make my modaks this year with her recipe. I skipped the shaping of the Adda and moulded the dough into a Modak mould.

The emotion of that Prasadam is felt no less than the love my grandmother had both for me and for food. The diversity of foods across India during festivals is a pomp in its own sense. As I was researching on how the original Maharashtrian modals are prepared, I realised how much it was similar to the traditional Ela Adda.

Making the whole festival more special, we had a small fun filled shoot at home showcasing my true sense of Ganapati and my grandmother’s love.

I wish you all a happy Ganesh Utsav and may he fill your hearts and lives with sweet memories and great health.

Signing off today with a favourite Ganesha Mantra

Om Gan Ganapathaye Namah

-Indu