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== The Prasadam ==

== The Prasadam ==

=== '''Modak''' ===

=== Modak ===

Modaks are Lord Ganesha’s favorite food. Traditionally in Maharashtra, as per the geographical regions the covering of the modaks changes from either rice flour to wheat flour but the inside filling remains the same! And this is the real magic ingredient in modak. Although now a days lot of fancy modaks made up of khowa, milk fats and other sweet ingredients are available in the market, only traditional stuffed modaks can bring you the health in this season. The stuffing of traditional modaks is made up of gud (jaggery) and grated coconut. Both these ingredients have some specific effect on body which is desirable in this season. Let’s have a look at it.  

Modaks are Lord Ganesha’s favorite food. Traditionally in Maharashtra, as per the geographical regions the covering of the modaks changes from either rice flour to wheat flour but the inside filling remains the same! And this is the real magic ingredient in modak. Although now a days lot of fancy modaks made up of khowa, milk fats and other sweet ingredients are available in the market, only traditional stuffed modaks can bring you the health in this season. The stuffing of traditional modaks is made up of gud (jaggery) and grated coconut. Both these ingredients have some specific effect on body which is desirable in this season. Let’s have a look at it.  

Usually the well-cooked modaks are topped with pure cow '''ghee''' while serving. The cow ghee on modaks further enhances its pitta pacifying and hydrating properties.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=ghRuta Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 37-39])</ref>  

Usually the well-cooked modaks are topped with pure cow '''ghee''' while serving. The cow ghee on modaks further enhances its pitta pacifying and hydrating properties.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=ghRuta Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 Sutra 37-39])</ref>  

=== '''Laddoos''' ===

=== Laddoos ===

The other type of Prasada which is also lord Ganesha’s favourite is '''laddoos'''. The laddoos are usually churma laddoo, coconut laddoo or besan laddoos. The ingredients of the laddu are also almost similar to modaks but since the tradition of offering laddoos is prevalent in Northen part of India where the season might be little cold and the staple food wheat, the rice flour is invariable replaced by wheat flour or besan. These are the food grains that are necessary in cold regions since they are little heavy to digest than rice but at the same time strengthening and nourishing.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=godhUm Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 15-16])</ref>  

The other type of Prasada which is also lord Ganesha’s favourite is '''laddoos'''. The laddoos are usually churma laddoo, coconut laddoo or besan laddoos. The ingredients of the laddu are also almost similar to modaks but since the tradition of offering laddoos is prevalent in Northen part of India where the season might be little cold and the staple food wheat, the rice flour is invariable replaced by wheat flour or besan. These are the food grains that are necessary in cold regions since they are little heavy to digest than rice but at the same time strengthening and nourishing.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=godhUm Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 15-16])</ref>  

=== '''Other offerings in Pujanam''' ===

== Other offerings in Pujanam ==

The other offerings that we make to Lord Ganesha in puja invariably include Durva (a type of grass) and various types of herbs’ leaves known as '''Patri.''' Also flowers like flowers like Hibiscus & lotus are offered to lord Ganesha. All of these things procured from the nature have medicinal properties and specifically they are cooling in nature or improve the digestive and metabolic strength. These also act as blood purifiers by reducing the excess body heat. The herbs offered are usually abundantly available in nature at this time. 

The other offerings that we make to Lord Ganesha in puja invariably include Durva (a type of grass) and various types of herbs’ leaves known as '''Patri.''' Also flowers like flowers like Hibiscus & lotus are offered to lord Ganesha. All of these things procured from the nature have medicinal properties and specifically they are cooling in nature or improve the digestive and metabolic strength. These also act as blood purifiers by reducing the excess body heat. The herbs offered are usually abundantly available in nature at this time. 

==== Herbs' leaves or Patri ====

=== Herbs' leaves or Patri ===

The medicinal properties of all these offerings are listed here.

The medicinal properties of all these offerings are listed here.

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==== Flowers offered to Lord Ganesha ====

=== Flowers offered to Lord Ganesha ===

2 flowers that are specifically offered to lord Ganesha are Hibiscus and lotus.  

2 flowers that are specifically offered to lord Ganesha are Hibiscus and lotus.  

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== References ==

== References ==