Most festivals have their lists of special delecacies,
prepared exclusively during that time. The festival of
Ganesh Chaturthi sees Goan Hindus abiding by the rule of
eating only vegetarian food. The dishes prepared during
this festive period are proof of the fact that though Goans
are primarily known for their love for fish, we do have
a variety of unique vegetarian dishes that are especially
featured during the festivals. Some of these vegetarian
dishes include:
Ukdiche Modak: This is probably the one dish that is
popular in each and every place that celebrates Ganesh
Chaturthi. It’s a custom to offer 21 ukdiche modak to Lord
Ganesh on the first day of the festival, as it’s considered
to be his favourite delicacy. Made of rice floor with a rich
stuffing of coconut and jaggary, this dish is certainly, not
just Lord Ganesha’s, but everybody’s favourite.
Panchakhadya: This unique sweet dish is also
prepared as a ‘naivedya’ or offering to Lord Ganesha.
‘Pancha’means five and ‘khadya’means food. This
delicacy is made of five ingredients that include coconut,
jaggery, dry fruits, rice flakes and grams.
Pachpalyachi Bhaji: In Goa, the Ganesh festival begins a
day before Ganesh Chaturthi with ‘Tay’, a day dedicated
to the worship of Goddess Gauri, who is said to be
Lord Ganesh’s mother. For Gauri Pujan, five different
varieties of green leafy vegetables are prepared, called
Pachpalyachi Bhaji. The significance of this delicacy lies
in the fact that a variety of indigenous green vegetables
are available during this time. Kuddukachi Bhaji, Dudyachi
Bhaji, Maskachi Bhaji are some of the vegetables cooked
as a part of this delicacy.
Kandamool: The second day of Ganesh Festival is
called Rishipanchami, a day dedicated to the worship of
Rishis (Sages). In order to honour the rishis, a delicacy
made from the fleshy roots and stems found in the
forestis prepared; this dish is known as Kandamool. The
promoters of organic food must take note that using
vegetables in their most natural form, this dish makes
for very healthy eating.
Nevryo: Outside Goa, in Maharashtra or Karnataka, nevryo
aren’t among the main delicacies for Ganesh Chaturthi.
However, in Goa, women do prepare lots of nevryos, to
offer to the guests and visitors.
Apart from these delicacies, many other more common
dishes like puri bhaaji, ros, managane and so on are
on the menu for as long as Lord Ganesh stays in the
house. Many houses also make is a point to eat their
food on banana leaves, during the festival. Families have
always been passing on these traditions to their further
generations, along with the other customs and rituals, and
the youngsters too enthusiastically do their best to learn
and preserve these treasures, in some way or the other.
