Add water, salt and ghee in a saucepan. Bring the water to a rolling boil and turn off the flame.
Take the rice flour in a mixing bowl and add the boiling water little by little. Mix it well with a spatula.
Let it cool for 2 minutes. When it is still warm, knead it well to make a soft dough. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
Divide the dough into 9 round balls and keep them covered.
Grind the fried gram, jaggery, coconut and cardamom powder to a semi-dry mixture. Divide it into 9 small balls. If you are unable to roll them into balls, add a tablespoon of ghee to it.
Grease your hands with little oil or ghee and flatten the dough ball to form a disc.
Place the prepared sweet stuffing in the center and bring the edges together to seal it.
Place the prepared modaks on greased idli plates and steam cook them on a high flame for 10 minutes.