Why Ganesha Loves Modaka
గణేశుని ఇష్ట భోజ్యం - మోదకం
Today's Hindu Mythology Story · Tuesday, 21 July 2026
The Story
Once, Atri Rishi's wife Anasuya offered Ganesha and his brother Skanda a modaka — a sweet dumpling — saying it must be earned. The two argued over who would have it. Their mother Parvati declared: 'Whoever circumambulates the universe first and returns will receive the modaka.' Skanda mounted his peacock and sped off. Ganesha simply walked around his parents, declaring: 'My parents ARE my universe.' He won the modaka, and ever since, modakas are his favored offering.
The Spiritual Lesson
Ganesha teaches that wisdom is greater than speed, that one's parents are one's first cosmos, and that creative thinking often outperforms brute effort.
Suggested Practice for Today
Offer modakas or laddoos to Ganesha; recite the Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotra; visit a Ganesha temple on Sankashti Chaturthi.
Source: Skanda Purana; Ganesha Purana