Undrallu | Kudumulu | Vinayaka Chavithi Recipes (2024)

Undrallu or Kudumulu is one of the traditional Andhra style Vinayaka Chavithi recipes. These steamed balls, popular Ganesh Chaturthi Naivedyam, are prepared with rice, chana dal, and cumin seeds.

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi is on September 10th this year. All Hindu festivals start with this one and we have some festival or the other each month. However, Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival observed at home. While we celebrate all festivals with equal pomp and show, this festival is somewhat more special.

Different regions follow different customs and make special dishes. Amma has always has specific dishes for specific festivals, while Athamma makes her own standard dishes.

As I have already said, in Hubby Dear's place, they celebrate this festival in a grand style. At home, Hubby Dear does Homam on this day. As per their culture, I always make Sweet Poli, Chitrammam, Vanakaya Urallgedda Kura, and some of the sweets that Athamma makes like the Kudumulu, Kudalu, Boorelu, and Gaarelu.

Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja at home with Special Dishes:

This year, I am sharing Vinakaya Chaturthi Special Undrallu recipe we prepared last year. During 2020, with the lockdown, it was a different experience altogether. I always take leave on the day for the pooja.

I prepared my regular dishes and went to Parent's place to help Amma with her pooja preparations. One of the dishes she made that I am yet to share is this Kudumulu or Undrallu.

When it comes to this dish name, I noticed and came to know that different regions have their own meaning and refer to what they make as kudumulu or undrallu.

While Amma has a major Tamil influence on her cooking, she also makes sure she makes dishes that are popularly made in Andhra. So you will find dish names used differently.

While Modakam or Modak is popular in Tamil Nadu and called by this name, the same version of Kudumulu comes with stuffing and is called Poornam Kudumulu. So there is something called the Poornam Kudalu as well.

What is kudumulu?

Kudumulu is steamed rice balls made with either rice flour or rice rava. We make two versions of this dish, both sweet and salted. We call the sweet Kudumulu as Teepi or bellam kudumulu. The Uppu kudumulu is the salty version.

We always make homemade Rice flour for making all the dishes for this pooja. So if you have planned to make these Undrallu, you can make the rice flour a little coarse. Else we normally grind and sieve to get a fine powder.

I have made these with both homemade Rice flour and Store-Bought as well. Apart from these, we also make other versions of naivedyam like the Alasanda Bellam Kudumulu, Bellam Kudumulu,

You can also check the authentic Panchakhadya from Maharashtra, or the Fried Modakam from Tamil Nadu.

Other Ganesh Chaturthi Naivedyam:

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Preparation for Kudumulu or Undrallu

I have used Homemade Rice flour, while making the flour at home, you can grind it a little coarse for making these Undrallu or Kudumulu.
If using store-bought rice flour, then dry roast on a hot pan for few minutes until it turns aromatic. Transfer and let it cool down.
Wash and soak the chana dal for 20 minutes. If you want the chana dal to soak quickly, you can soak in hot water for 10 minutes.
Take a saucepan with water, bring to a boil.
Add the drained chana dal, cumin seeds, salt and let it cook for few minutes on low flame.

Slowly add the rice flour and quickly stir to prevent lumps from forming. Simmer the flame to low and continue stirring.
If you want, you can cover the pan with a lid to prevent splashing if it happens.
Ensure the rice flour absorbs the water completely.
Remove and add ghee/oil and knead well. This will get the dough to become very soft and easy to use. Take care not to burn your palm though. Always keep it covered with a wet muslin cloth to prevent the dough from drying up.

How to make kudumulu or undrallu ~ Vinayaka Chavithi recipes

While you are making the balls, you can have the steamer ready. Take enough water to steam the balls, and let the water start to boil.
To make the balls, you can either dip your fingers in water or oil.
Take small portions of the mixture, roll well between your palms to get even balls. Place them on the plate.
Continue with the rest of the dough until you complete.
Cover the idli steamer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes on high.
Once done, allow it to stand for 5 minutes before you can remove it.
Offer as Neivedyam to Lord Ganesha before partaking.

Points to Remember while making these savory dumplings:

Depending on how you like, you can either use fine rice flour or rice rava. Both taste great in my opinion.
The amount of water also depends on how the flour absorbs. So you may have to use a little more or less depending on the rice.
You can always remove 1/2 cup water, add more if required.

Serving Suggestions:

I have mostly prepared these during the festival and serve them as such.
However, these make an excellent snack or evening tiffin.
You can serve it with Pickle or any spicy chutney.

For More Vinayaka Chavithi recipes, check out my Ganesh Chaturthi Special dishes page.

Recipe

For more easy Ganesh Chaturthi recipes, check this Instant Rava Modak