Modak Patra or steamer vessel is a traditional cooking vessel, made in earlier days to make modak, aluwadi, patode etc.
It is a versatile multipurpose steamer made of Copper and tinned (kalai) on the inside.
The steamer vessel can be used for making various dishes like modak / kozhukattai, momos, ela ada, patra / patrode, steaming vegetables, corn, ammini kozhukattai, upma kozhukattai and many many other dishes.
Modak patra or the steamer vessel consists of three parts: the base vessel for boiling water, a steaming plate for placing the cuisines that needs to be steamed / cooked and a dome shaped lid to make circular motion to steam.
The modak patra is made predominantly by Coppersmiths of Maharashtra.