Come Ganesh Chaturthi and everyone gets an
opportunity to taste the best of traditional Hindu vegetarian cuisine in state.
Most families head to their ancestral homes to worship Lord Ganesha. These
ancestral houses have kitchens with chulha and earthenware which makes the food
tastier than usual. Friends from across religions visit and relish these traditional
vegetarian dishes.
A banker by profession, Mumtaz Shaikh from
Margao says, “Every year I visit my friend Dawaskar’s ancestral home in
Bicholim. The food is yummy. The whole Chaturthi buzz – from the people to the
decorations, and eating the food while we squat on the floor, only adds more
colour to the environment. The food comprises of Puri, Bhaji, Ros, Usal and
sweet dishes made of rice and dal like Modak and Puran Poli. My favourites are
Ambadyacho Saar and Mangane. I love the homemade masala prepared by my friend’s
mother and Modak is my favourite sweet.”
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations last for
a maximum of 21 days. While some families immerse the Ganesha idol after one
and a half day, others do so over five, seven, nine or eleven days. Those who
worship Ganesha for five days offer a different variety of vegetarian food
items. “On the day prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, called ‘Tay’ we worship Goddess
Gauri. ‘Gauri Pujan’ is performed. On this day, five different varieties of
vegetables are prepared, which includes Maskachi Bhaji, Kudukachi Bhaji,
Chavlichi Val, Dudyachi Bhaji and Tambdi Bhaji,” says Balaji Shenoy, a research
scholar from Goa University.
A software engineer by profession and food
blogger by passion, Raksha Kamat explains, “On the day of ‘Taye Dis’, married
women observe a fast for their husband’s long life.” Speaking about Ganesh
Chaturthi she adds, “We abstain from making use of onion and garlic in our
food. We discard these two food items prior to the commencement of Chaturthi.”
The preparation of food varies according to
the customs observed by a particular caste or family. “I belong to the Gaud
Saraswat Brahmin community. We prepare Khatkhate, Puri, Toi, Tondak, Ukadiche
Modak, Pais, Batatyachi Bhaji, pickle, Varan, Mangane, Tandlachi Kheer, and
Sangyachi Bhaji,” says Raksha.
She recollects what her mother in law would
tell her about the significance of offering food to Lord Ganesha, “We were told
that the food offered on five banana leaves in front of Lord Ganesha symbolise
that one thali is for Lord Shankar, the second for Goddess Parvati, the third
for Lord Ganesha, the fourth for the Holy cow and the fifth for ‘mooshak’
(Ganesha’s Vahan).”
“Panchkhadya’ is prepared for Lord Shiva on
the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. This sweet prasad comprises of grated coconut,
moong dal, cashew nuts, jaggery and grams,” says Balaji.
Besides, these items, Balaji highlights
other sweets prepared during Chaturthi. “Nevryos are prepared in all houses for
Chaturthi. Then we have different types of Laddoos, Shev, Churmo and Chiwda
being offered to visitors.”
