# Modak

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{{Short description|South and Southeast Asian sweet dumpling dish}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Modak
| image            = Ukadiche Modak (Rice).jpg
| caption          =
| alternate_name   = Koḻukattai<br>Kangidan (歓喜団)<br>Mont lone yay baw (မုန့်လုံးရေပေါ်)<br>Khanom tom (ขนมต้ม)<br>Khanom kho (ขนมโค)<br>Num kom (នំគម)<br>Kanom nab (ເຂົ້າຫນົມແຫນບ)<br>Bánh ít nhân dừa<br>Kuih modak<br>Kue modak
| country          = [India](/source/India)
| region           = India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore
| course           = [Dessert](/source/Dessert)
| served           = 
| main_ingredient  = [Rice flour](/source/Rice_flour), or [wheat](/source/wheat_flour), [coconut](/source/coconut), [jaggery](/source/jaggery)
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| similar_dish     = [Bánh phu thê](/source/B%C3%A1nh_phu_th%C3%AA) (Vietnam)<br>[Cenil](/source/Cenil) (Indonesia)<br>[Khanom tom/khanom kho](/source/Khanom_kho) (Thailand)<br>[Klepon](/source/Klepon) (Indonesia)<br>[Kue kochi](/source/Kue_kochi) (Indonesia and Malaysia)<br>[Mont lone yay baw](/source/Mont_lone_yay_baw) (Myanmar)<br>[Mont phet htok](/source/Mont_phet_htok) (Myanmar) 
}}

'''Modak '''({{langx|mr|मोदक}}), '''modakam '''({{langx|sa|मोदकम्}}), '''kolukattai''' or '''modaka''' ({{Langx|kn|ಮೋದಕ}}), also referred to as '''jilledukayalu''' in [Telugu](/source/Telugu_language) ({{Lang|te|జిల్లేడుకాయలు}}) is an [Indian](/source/Cuisine_of_India) sweet dish popular in many Indian states and cultures. According to [Hindu](/source/Hinduism) and [Buddhist](/source/Buddhism) beliefs, it is one of the favourite dishes of [Ganesha](/source/Lord_Ganesha) and [the Buddha](/source/the_Buddha) and is therefore used in prayers.<ref name="favourite" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.traveldine.com/indian-classic-modak|title=Indian classic: Modak|website=Traveldine|access-date=1 September 2022|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022230634/https://www.traveldine.com/indian-classic-modak|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/culinary-capital-how-modaks-ganeshas-food-have-broken-barriers-travelled-well-through-history-8130067|title=Culinary Capital: How Modaks, Ganesha's food, have broken barriers, travelled well through history|website=Indian Express|date=4 September 2022 }}</ref> The sweet filling inside a modak consists of freshly grated [coconut](/source/coconut) and [jaggery](/source/jaggery), while the outer soft shell is made from [rice flour](/source/rice_flour) or [wheat flour](/source/wheat_flour) mixed with [khowa](/source/Khoa) or [maida flour](/source/maida_flour).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://food.ndtv.com/recipe-modak-287978|title=Modak Recipe}}</ref>

There are two distinct varieties of Modak, fried and steamed. The steamed version (called ''Ukadiche Modak'')<ref>{{cite news|title= Jatra gets its flavour from Maharashtra for authentic taste|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/jatra-gets-its-flavour-from-maharashtra-for-authentic-taste/articleshow/60988483.cms|location=[Indore](/source/Indore)|work=[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)|date=7 October 2017|access-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> is often served hot with [ghee](/source/ghee).

==History==
According to culinary historian [Darra Goldstein](/source/Darra_Goldstein), modaka is an ancient sweet that dates back to around 200 BCE.<ref name="ReferenceA">The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets - Page 82, Darra Goldstein · 2015</ref> Early mentions of modaka are found in [Ayurveda](/source/Ayurveda), [Ramayana](/source/Ramayana) and [Mahabharata](/source/Mahabharata) where it is described as a dumpling confectionery with sweet stuffing. [Sangam](/source/Sangam_literature) literature similarly mentions modakas as rice dumplings filled with sweet stuffing that were also sold by street vendors in the ancient city of [Madurai](/source/Madurai).<ref>Food in Pathupattu Part III Maduraikanchi - Achaya, K.T. Indian Food: A Historical Companion. Oxford University Press 1994</ref><ref>Champakalakshmi R. Trade, ideology and Urbanization South India 300 BC to 1300 AD. Oxford University Press India 1996.</ref> The medieval Manasollasa culinary text explains that modakas, as prepared with rice flour and a sweet stuffing with aromatic spices such as [cardamom](/source/cardamom) and [camphor](/source/camphor), were called ''Varsopalagolakas'' because they looked like [hailstone](/source/hailstone)s.<ref>Traditional Foods: Some Products and Technologies - Page 55, Central Food Technological Research Institute (India) · 1986</ref> Fried modakas are made with wheat flour, while steamed modakas are made from rice flour.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In both [Hindu](/source/Hindu) and [Buddhist](/source/Buddhist) contexts, the word 'modaka' is explained as being derived from the words ''"Moda"'' and ''"Pramoda"'', meaning ''joy'', ''happiness'', ''delight;'' modakas being gifts that [Ganesha](/source/Ganesha), the god of good luck, and [the Buddha](/source/the_Buddha) bestows on their devotees.<ref>Gaṇeśa, the Enchanter of the Three Worlds, Page 203, Paul Martin-Dubost (1997)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ghosh |first1=Rinku |title=Culinary Capital: How Modaks, Ganesha’s food, have broken barriers, travelled well through history |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/culinary-capital-how-modaks-ganeshas-food-have-broken-barriers-travelled-well-through-history-8130067/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref> The shape of modaka is also said to represent a bag of money. Thus, it is also used to symbolize wealth, and all the sweet pleasures that wealth gives to humans. In a [Tantric](/source/Tantra) context, its shape is seen to symbolise an upward pointing triangle, which in Tantric art represents [Shiva](/source/Shiva), i.e. spiritual reality, in contrast to the downward pointing triangle, which represents [Shakti](/source/Shakti), material reality.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pattanaik |first1=Devdutt |title=99 Thoughts on Ganesha |date=27 January 2015 |publisher=Publisher:Jaico Publishing House |isbn=9788184951523 |page=39 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wh22qvzQuowC |access-date=27 January 2015}}</ref>

==Religious significance==
===Hinduism===
Modak is considered to be the favourite sweet of the [Hindu](/source/Hindu) deity, [Ganesha](/source/Ganesha).<ref name="favourite">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/a-modak-by-any-other-name/article19552392.ece|work=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)|title=A modak by any other name|last=Chef Mandaar Sukhtankar|date=24 August 2017|access-date=19 October 2017}}</ref> From it, he gets the moniker '''modakapriya''' (one who likes modak) in Sanskrit. The word modak means "small part of bliss" and it symbolises spiritual knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-09-14|title=Why is Ganapati with the right sided trunk not commonly worshipped?|url=https://www.sanatan.org/en/a/77.html|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Sanatan Sanstha|language=en-US}}</ref> During [Ganesh Chaturthi](/source/Ganesh_Chaturthi), the [puja](/source/puja_(Hinduism)) usually concludes with an offering of 21 or 101 modaks to Ganesha. Modaks made with rice flour shells are often preferred for this purpose, although wheat shell versions are also used. Local businesses outside Ganesh temples across India usually sell pre-packed/ready-made versions of modaks.

===Buddhism===
Modak is also considered to be the favourite sweet of [Gautama Buddha](/source/The_Buddha). During [Buddha's Birthday](/source/Buddha's_Birthday), modaks are offered to the Buddha.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-09-04|title=Culinary Capital: How Modaks, Ganesha's food, have broken barriers, travelled well through history|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/culinary-capital-how-modaks-ganeshas-food-have-broken-barriers-travelled-well-through-history-8130067|access-date=2022-09-04|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Similar dishes==
===India and Sri Lanka===
In [India](/source/India) and [Sri Lanka](/source/Sri_Lanka), modak has a lot of ingrained historical and cultural significance, with variations all over the two countries. It is known by different names by different linguistic communities, such as ''modak'' in [Marathi](/source/Marathi_language) (मोदक), ''nevri'' in [Konkani](/source/Konkani_language) ({{Lang|kok|नेवरी}}), ''mandaa'' in [Odia](/source/Odia_language) ({{Lang|or|ମଣ୍ଡା}}), ''kadubu'' in [Kannada](/source/Kannada_language) (ಕಡುಬು), ''kozhukattai'' in Tamil (கொழுக்கட்டை), ''kozhukatta'' in [Malayalam](/source/Malayalam_language) (കൊഴുക്കട്ട), ''jilledukayalu'' in [Telugu](/source/Telugu_language) ({{Lang|te|జిల్లేడుకాయలు}}) and ''lavariya'' in [Sinhala](/source/Sinhala_language) (ලවාරියා).

===Cambodia===
In [Cambodia](/source/Cambodia), ''num kom'' ({{Lang|km|នំគម}}) is similar to modak. However, the wrapping is much different as num kom does not use rice flour.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ramesh|first1=Nisha|title=NUM KOM|url=https://www.196flavors.com/cambodia-num-kom/|website=196 flavors|date=2 July 2018 }}</ref>

===Japan===
{{main|Karakudamono}}
In [Japan](/source/Japan), a sweet similar to modak that replaced [cinnamon](/source/cinnamon) with cardamom and known locally as {{Nihongo|2=歓喜団|3=kangidan}}, is offered to both the god [Kangiten](/source/Kangiten), the Japanese equivalent of [Ganesh](/source/Ganesh). Kangidans are made from curds, honey, and red bean paste. They are wrapped in kneaded dough made from parched flour and shaped like a bun before they are deep fried.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.el-aura.com/japan-and-india20160420/|title=儀式のあとには、なにかを食べる。インドと日本の不思議な共通点|website=El-Aura (Trinity)|date=21 April 2016 }}</ref> However, as the majority of Japanese are non-religious, it can be eaten on any occasion such as [Shōgatsu](/source/Japanese_New_Year), [Culture Day](/source/Culture_Day), [Christmas](/source/Christmas), [Halloween](/source/Halloween), birthdays and retirement parties.

===Laos===
In [Laos](/source/Laos), modaks are known as ''kanom nab'' ({{Lang|lo|ເຂົ້າຫນົມແຫນບ}}).

===Malay world===
In the [Malay world](/source/Malay_world), modaks are known as '''kuih modak''' (in [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia), [Brunei](/source/Brunei) and [Singapore](/source/Singapore)) or '''kue modak''' (in [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia)). There are also similar types of modak such as ''[klepon](/source/klepon)'', ''[kue kochi](/source/kue_kochi)'' and ''[cenil](/source/cenil)''.

===Myanmar===
In [Myanmar](/source/Myanmar), modaks are known as ''[mont lone yay baw](/source/mont_lone_yay_baw)'' and ''[mont phet htok](/source/mont_phet_htok)'' the former are eaten during [Thingyan](/source/Thingyan).

===Thailand===
In [Thailand](/source/Thailand), ''Khanom tom'' and ''[khanom kho](/source/khanom_kho)'' are said to be the close cousins of modaks due to their similarities. However, they come in other colours and are covered in coconuts shreds.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-09-14|title=Around Asia in six sweet dumplings|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/food/discover/around-asia-in-six-sweet-dumplings-111663079972740.html|access-date=2022-09-14|website=Mint Lounge|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Vietnam===
In [Vietnam](/source/Vietnam), modaks are known as ''bánh ít nhân dừa'' or ''[bánh phu thê](/source/b%C3%A1nh_phu_th%C3%AA)''.

==Varieties==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Type
!Characteristics
|-
|Steamed modak (''ukadiche modak'' in the [Marathi language](/source/Marathi_language))
|Made of coconut and sugar/jaggery. This variation is especially prepared during the Ganesh Festival. They are hand-made and cooked in a steamer. They are perishable and need to be consumed immediately.<ref name="Ukadiche modak">{{cite book|last=Khanna|first=Vikas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LSTRAQAAQBAJ&q=mo&pg=PT36|title=SAVOUR MUMBAI: A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH INDIA's MELTING POT|publisher=Westland Limited|year=2013|location=New Delhi|isbn=9789382618959}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{sfn|Reejhsinghani|1975|p=x [https://books.google.com/books?id=RwMRaDxJcWwC&q=modakas&pg=PT10]}}<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last1=Reejhsinghani|first1=Aroona|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RwMRaDxJcWwC&q=modakas&pg=PT10|title=Delights from Maharashtra|date=1975|isbn=9788172245184|location=New Delhi}}</ref>
|-
|Fried modak
|Deep fried in oil instead of being steamed. Frying makes the modaks last longer and gives them a different taste.<ref>[http://www.boldsky.com/cookery/sweet-tooth/indian-sweets/modak-recipes-ganesh-chaturthi/types-of-modak-pf220-031027.html Modak]</ref>
|-
|Mawa modak
|These are [khoa](/source/khoa) (milk solids) based preparations that are shaped like a modak. A variety of flavors can be obtained by addition of materials such as pistachio, cardamom, chocolate, and almond.
|}

==See also==
{{portal|Food}}
* [List of dumplings](/source/List_of_dumplings)
* [List of foods with religious symbolism](/source/List_of_foods_with_religious_symbolism)
* [List of Indian sweets and desserts](/source/List_of_Indian_sweets_and_desserts)
* [Maharashtrian cuisine](/source/Maharashtrian_cuisine)
* [Mandu](/source/Mandu_(dumpling))
* [Manti](/source/Manti_(dumpling))
* [Mont lone yay baw](/source/Mont_lone_yay_baw)
* [Kangiten](/source/Kangiten)
* [Khanom kho](/source/Khanom_kho)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.theyummyplatter.com/ukdiche-modak/  Ukdiche Modak] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909102407/https://www.theyummyplatter.com/ukdiche-modak/ |date=9 September 2021 }}

{{Ganesha}}
{{Gautama Buddha}}
{{Dumplings}}
{{Bruneian cuisine}}
{{Cambodian cuisine}}
{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Laotian cuisine}}
{{Malaysian cuisine}}
{{Kue}}
{{Singaporean cuisine}}
{{Vietnamese cuisine}}

Category:Dumplings
Category:Buddhist symbols
Category:Burmese desserts and snacks
Category:Bruneian snack foods
Category:Cambodian desserts
Category:Indian desserts
Category:Laotian desserts
Category:Maharashtrian cuisine
Category:Goan cuisine
Category:Konkani cuisine
Category:Kue
Category:Hindu symbols
Category:Japanese desserts and sweets
Category:Malaysian snack foods
Category:Singaporean snack foods
Category:Sri Lankan desserts and sweets
Category:Vietnamese pastries
Category:Coconut desserts
Category:Ganesha
Category:Gautama Buddha
Category:Indonesian Indian cuisine
Category:Indian dumplings

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Modak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modak) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modak?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.