Lord Ganesha is known for giving auspicious start to a venture or an event. Whenever we talk of bringing in auspiciousness in one's life forces, it is directly linked to worshiping Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is worshiped to get wealth, happiness, prosperity, joy and knowledge. To appease the elephant-headed lord, one needs to know what he likes the most.
Following are the things liked by Ganesha.
Ganesha likes Modaks: Lord Ganesha is also called ‘Modakpriya’, which means one who loves modaks. Modak is one of the most popular sweet dishes and is made during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a sweet, much like pedhas, made of rice flour and stuffed with grated jaggery and coconut.
Why Ganesha loves Modaks?
Once demi gods came to meet lord Shiva and Parvati, they presented a special modak to the divine couple. (Consuming this modak meant that the one who eats it would have a command over all scriptures, writing and arts).Now Ma Parvati wanted both her sons to have it and decided to share it equally among them. But the brothers were not willing to share it. So Goddess Parvati said the one who encircles the world three times first, will get the modak. Karthik immediately mounted on his vehicle, peacock following his mother’s instruction. Lord Ganesha just went around his parents three times as he considered his divine parents, represent the entire world to him. Impressed by his love, devotion, and sincerity, Ma Parvati handed over the Modak to him. Since then modak is a favorite sweet of lord Ganesha.
The grass with three blades are offered to Lord Ganesha. Dhruv grass has the highest ability to attract Ganesha’s energy.
It is said that in the abode or where Lord Yama dwells,there once lived a demon called Anlasura. He was terrifying, so much so that even the gods feared him. Even Lord Indra’s tactics to control him failed.Hence, he appealed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked Lord Ganesha to defeat the demon. Now Lord Ganesh was actually playing nearby and was very pleased with the task given by his father. When Lord Ganesh found Anlasura, the demon laughed at the chubby boy with an elephant head. But soon enough Lord Ganesh grew in size and swallowed him whole. Immediately after, Ganesha’s stomach began to burn. Indra gave Ganesha the Moon to wear on his forehead, Lord Vishnu gave his lotus, Lord Varuna showered plenty of water, Lord Shiva tied a thousand-headed serpent around his tummy but nothing could comfort Ganesha. Then a group of sages came and they offered 21 blades of Dhurva grass to him. As soon as he ate them, the burning in his stomach subsided.
Erukku flowers have the ability to remove negativity from the body and mind of a person. Offering a garland of Erukku flowers to Lord Ganesh pleases him and in turn, he blesses the individuals with a healthy, happy life without any health issues.
The conch shell or the Shankh as we know it is an important part of Hindu rituals. The sound of shankh is considered holy and pure devotion in an individual for the Lord. No Ganesh idol is without a conch or shankh. Ganesha has 4 hands and He hold a shankh in one of the hands.
Seasonal fruits can be offered to Ganesha. But Banana is the most favorite fruit of Lord Ganesh.