Overview

• India marks Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27 with modak as the signature offering to Lord Ganesha, reaffirming its cultural and devotional centrality.
• Recipe roundups feature 25‑plus varieties from steamed and fried to chocolate, dry‑fruit, vegan and multigrain, alongside chef takes like Kunal Kapoor’s simplified coconut‑mawa modak and a kaju version shared earlier.
• Health‑forward options gain prominence as Yasmin Karachiwala shares a sugar‑free nut‑and‑date modak, and a quinoa‑and‑jaggery recipe offers a higher‑fiber, gluten‑free twist with a clear per‑piece nutrition estimate.
• Nutrition guidance from Apollo Spectra’s Dr. Divya Malik Dhawan advises steaming instead of frying, using dates or figs in fillings, pairing with protein, and keeping portions to one or two pieces to limit sugar spikes.
• Mumbai buyers get fresh vendor guides listing iconic shops and home caterers offering multiple varieties, including sugar‑free and vegan options, with one century‑old store citing sales of over 5,000 kg last year.