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A simple homely dish that reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his mother

etimes.in | Last updated on - May 11, 2026, 10:08 IST
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1/14

Understanding the meaning of "Maa ke haath ka khana" on Mother's Day

"Maa ke haath ka khana" is not just a phrase, it is an emotion that every human can connect with. It is a kind of comfort that no restaurant or hotel can ever replicate. It is not just about the flavours, but the emotion served with every bite. From simple dal chawal to exotic pasta and burger, a mother’s cooking carries warmth, care, and countless unspoken gestures of love. Every dish reflects patience, instinct, and the quiet joy of nourishing her family. Prime Minister Narendra Modi felt the same warmth on his 74th birthday miles away, which reminded him of his mother. Scroll down to find the details.

2/14

A dish that reminded him of his mother

Prime Minister Modi has always been vocal about his affection and closeness with his mother. Every year on his birthday, he used to visit her in hometown to seek blessngs and eat "maa ke haath ka khana". After her demise, on his 74th birthday, he fondly remembred her during a public gathering and said, "Today when I visited an Odia family, the mother fed me Khiri (kheer) and it reminded of my mother, who used to make me eat gud (jaggery) on my birthday every year. Today, she is not there anymore, but an Odia mother filled that vaccum and made me feel comfortable with a bowl of kheer." Just like PM Modi, we all have fond memories of maa ke haath ka khana, let us take a look at some of the most popular dishes that are synonymous with mother's love.

3/14

Dal Chawal


It is one of the most popular dish, which includes steamed rice and is served with pressure cooked toor dal, seasoned with a tadka of ghee, cumin seeds and hing.

4/14

Rajma Chawal

It is a dish that feels like home. The spiced, creamy kidney beans paired with soft rice create a meal full of warmth and richness. It’s a flavourful combination that captures the essence of traditional Indian flavours.

5/14

Khichdi


Khichdi is a one-pot dish, primarily made with rice, one or more varieties of lentils, mild spices like turmeric and salt, and seasonal veggies. It is served with a tadka of ghee, cumin seeds, hing, and dried red chillies.

6/14

Puttu and Kadala Curry


Puttu refers to a steamed rice cylindrical cake made from rice flour and grated coconut and Kadala Curry is a black chickpea curry. Together they form a delectable combo best enjoyed in Kochi.

7/14

Aloo Paratha aur Achar



Aloo paratha is one of North India's most famous breakfasts. As the name suggests, it uses spicy aloo (potato) stuffing, which is stuffed in a soft wheat flour dough, rolled into a paratha, and cooked on a tawa using ghee or oil. It is best served with curd and pickle.

8/14

Fish Curry and Rice


It refers to fresh fish cooked in a tangy and spicy tamarind-based sauce. It's a seafood lover's dream come true and is best served with steamed rice.

9/14

Gajar Halwa


This one's for those with a sweet tooth and is made with carrots, mawa, sugar, cardamom powder, ghee, and lots of dry fruits. It is pure winter comfort that one should try.

10/14

Rasam Rice


It is a South Indian delight, where steamed rice is served with tangy and spicy liquid made with tomato, and a blend of spices and lentils, like chana dal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper, and dried red chilies.

11/14

Kadhi Chawal



It is a popular Indian curry that is made with besan, curd, turmeric, and a tempering of panch phoran, green chilli, and mango powder. It is often paired with steamed rice and is popularly known as Kadhi Chawal. Kadhi as a curry is very famous and every region has its own variety. The most popular ones are Rajasthani Kadhi, Gujarati Kadhi, Punjabi Kadhi, Sindhi Kadhia and more.

12/14

Appam and Stew


It is one one of the delicious South Indian dishes. These are soft pancakes made from rice batter. It is served with a stew made with vegetables, chicken, or meat. Coconut milk is added to give the mixture a creamy and yummy texture. It is popularly enjoyed during breakfast in Kerala.

13/14

Pav Bhaji


It is one of the most famous Maharashtrian breakfast dishes, where special pav called ladi pav is served with a thick and velvety curry made with mashed potatoes and veggies like peas, carrot, capsicum, beans and more and seasoned with special pav bhaji masala. It is served with a side of onions and lemon.

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Puran Poli


It refers to a flatbread roasted on a griddle and made with flour dough, stuffed with cooked chana dal, seasoned with jaggery, and cardamom powder.

Top Comment
D
Drcarmocostaviegas
28 days ago
Madame Jashodaben doesn't cook ?
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Copyright © Jun 8, 2026, 10.41AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service