Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Essential do's and don'ts for preparing bhog and prasad

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is almost here. This year, it will be observed on Wednesday, August 27, during the Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Bhadrapada month as per the Hindu lunar calendar. The celebrations will last for 10 to 11 days, ending with the grand Ganesh Visarjan on Saturday, September 6.

As part of the rituals, Lord Ganesha’s favorite delicacies, offered as bhog or prasad, hold a special place. While preparing these sacred foods, it is essential to follow certain do’s and don’ts to maintain purity and devotion.

Do’s:

• Use fresh ingredients: Always prepare prasad using fresh fruits, grains, vegetables, and dairy products.
• Maintain cleanliness: Ensure utensils, surfaces, and hands are properly cleaned before cooking.
• Cook sattvic food: Avoid onion, garlic, and meat; keep the dishes light and pure.
• Prefer homemade offerings: Traditional items like modak, laddoo, panchamrit, and sundal should be prepared at home and not purchased from outside.
• Choose ghee and jaggery: Considered sacred, these are widely used in prasad preparations.
• Prepare Panchamrit: A holy mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar is offered during rituals.
• Cook in small portions: Make enough for offering and family sharing, avoiding excess or waste.
• Do not taste beforehand: Offer the food to Lord Ganesha first, only then consume.
• Keep food covered: Protect offerings from dust, insects, or impurities until the puja.

Don’ts:

• Avoid non-veg, alcohol, onion, and garlic: These are considered impure for festival food.
• Do not taste while cooking: Prasad must remain untouched until it is offered.
• No stale or packaged food: Always prepare everything fresh on the same day.
• Never use dirty utensils: Ensure all vessels and plates are ritually clean.
• Don’t waste food: Cook only as much as needed for offering and distribution.
• Avoid plastic disposables: Use steel, brass, or banana leaves instead.
• No leftovers near the idol: Only fresh offerings should be placed before Lord Ganesha.
• Respect naivedyam rules: Always present food with devotion before consuming.