Description

Legend has it that Lord Shiva once visited Anusuya in the forest. He was seated for a meal next to a young Ganapati. Lord Shiva was famished and asked to be served food immediately. Anusuya, however, said That she would serve Lord Shiva only once Ganpati's hunger had been satiated. Ganpati, a voracious eater, happily ate all that was served to him, but his hunger was insatiable. Even his mother, Goddess Parvati was astonished at the sight of her young son's insatiable hunger. Realizing that Lord Shiva would remain hungry due to Ganpati's hunger, Anusuya served him a single piece of sweetened food. Upon consuming this, Ganpati gave a loud burp, hence indicating that his stomach was finally full. Goddess Parvati was curious to know what the sweetened food item was that Anusuya had served Bal Ganesha. On learning that it was a modak, Goddess Parvati expressed her wish that devotees of Lord Ganpati should always offer modaks to him and this wish has since been granted across generations and location.