Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Make 5 Different Delicious Modaks During Ganesh Utsav

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 is just around the corner, and festive preparations are already beginning in homes across India. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day Ganeshotsav.

Among the many traditional offerings prepared for Bappa, modak holds a special place. From the classic steamed variety to modern chocolate and dry-fruit versions, there are plenty of ways to make the festive sweet more exciting.

If you want to prepare something different during Ganesh Utsav, here are five delicious modak varieties you can make at home.

1. Traditional Ukadiche Modak

No Ganesh Chaturthi celebration feels complete without the classic Ukadiche Modak. This Maharashtrian speciality is made with a soft rice-flour outer covering and a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery before being steamed. It is widely regarded as the quintessential traditional modak.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp ghee
• A pinch of salt
• 1 cup grated coconut
• ¾ cup jaggery
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• A little nutmeg powder, optional

Method

Heat water with salt and a little ghee. Once it begins boiling, add rice flour and mix quickly. Cover and allow it to rest briefly before kneading into a soft dough.

For the filling, cook grated coconut and jaggery together until the mixture thickens. Add cardamom and optional nutmeg.

Make small cups from the rice-flour dough, fill them with the coconut-jaggery mixture and carefully shape them into traditional modaks. Steam for around 10–15 minutes until the outer layer becomes glossy and cooked.

2. Chocolate Modak

If children at home love chocolate, this modern version can be a festive favourite. Chocolate modaks are also among the popular contemporary variations prepared during Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ingredients

• 1 cup crumbled mawa or khoya
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp ghee
• Chopped nuts, optional

Method

Heat ghee in a non-stick pan and add the crumbled mawa. Cook on low heat for a few minutes.

Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar and milk. Stir continuously until the mixture comes together and begins leaving the sides of the pan.

Allow it to cool slightly. Grease a modak mould with a little ghee, fill it with the mixture and press firmly. Carefully remove the modak from the mould and garnish with chopped nuts.

3. Dry Fruit Modak

For a richer festive treat, try dry-fruit modaks. Nuts and dates can create a naturally sweet, chewy filling while giving the modaks a luxurious texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup mixed cashews, almonds and pistachios
• ½ cup seedless dates
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Method

Lightly roast the nuts and allow them to cool. Grind them coarsely.

Heat a little ghee and cook the dates until they soften. Add the ground nuts, coconut and cardamom powder. Mix until everything comes together.

Allow the mixture to cool enough to handle. Grease a modak mould, press the mixture firmly into it and carefully release the shaped modaks.

4. Fried Modak

For those who prefer a crispy sweet, fried modak is an excellent choice. Unlike the steamed version, these modaks have a golden, crisp exterior and a sweet coconut filling. Fried modak is also a popular Ganesh Chaturthi variation.

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp semolina
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Water as needed

For the filling:

• 1 cup grated coconut
• ½ cup jaggery
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts, optional

Method

Mix flour, semolina and ghee. Add water gradually and knead into a firm dough. Cover and rest it for 15–20 minutes.

Cook coconut and jaggery together until the mixture thickens. Add cardamom and nuts.

Roll small portions of dough into thin discs. Place the filling in the centre, fold and seal the edges into a modak shape.

Deep-fry on medium heat until golden and crisp. Drain on a kitchen towel before serving.

5. Rava Modak

Rava modak is another easy option when you want something festive without spending too much time working with rice-flour dough. It offers a slightly grainy texture and pairs beautifully with coconut, milk and cardamom. Rava is among the commonly used ingredients for modern Ganesh Chaturthi modak variations.

Ingredients

• 1 cup semolina or rava
• ½ cup grated coconut
• ½ cup sugar
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts

Method

Heat ghee in a pan and lightly roast the rava until fragrant. Add milk gradually while stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

Add sugar and grated coconut and cook until the mixture thickens and begins leaving the sides of the pan. Mix in cardamom and nuts.

Let the mixture cool slightly, then press it into a greased modak mould. Allow the modaks to set before serving.

Make a Different Modak Each Day

One of the fun ways to celebrate the 10-day Ganeshotsav is to prepare a different modak variety on different days. Recipe collections for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 include everything from traditional Ukadiche and fried modaks to chocolate, rava, coconut, dry-fruit, malai and kaju versions.

You can keep the first day traditional with Ukadiche Modak, surprise children with chocolate modaks, serve dry-fruit modaks for guests and finish the festival with another favourite variety.

A Sweet Celebration for Bappa

Modak is more than just a festive dessert—it is one of the most recognisable foods associated with Ganesh Chaturthi. Whether you prefer the traditional steamed version or enjoy experimenting with chocolate, nuts and other flavours, homemade modaks can add a special touch to your Ganesh Utsav celebrations.

So this Ganesh Chaturthi, bring Bappa home, prepare your favourite modaks and enjoy the festival with family, devotion and plenty of sweetness.