Chhath Puja Let’s You Explore Bihari Cuisine

Thekua is among the most important foods during Chhath Puja.Wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, dry fruits, desiccated coconut, and ghee or oil are used to make the biscuit-like dish. Scientific justifications underlie the use of this dish at this time. The ingredients help preserve good health and increase immunity during the winter.

This kheer is unique compared to conventional kheer because it is cooked with jaggery, milk, rice and water. It is said to prepare the body for seasonal changes. This sweet pudding dish, also known as rasiayo or rasiyaw, is often served with pooris. Celebrators eat the hearty dessert to break the fast on the second day.

Another delectable delicacy included in the thali made especially for Chhath is hara chana or green chickpeas. It is cooked the following day after being soaked in water overnight. The key ingredients are green chickpeas, tomatoes, green chillies, sendha namak, and ghee. The locals also call it hara chana ghugni.

Kaddu or pumpkin ki sabzi is one of the key dishes of Chhath Puja. Instead of using table salt, the kaddu is seasoned with rock salt. This dish is a must in the festive thali. Along with vrat wale chawal, kaddu bhat and a pumpkin sabzi are offered. Some people enjoy pairing puri with kaddu ki sabzi. It is one of the primary bhogs cooked by the Pravatain, or one of the main worshippers of the puja, and offered to the deity in the afternoon.

Kasar is essentially ladoos made of rice flour, coconut, and ghee. Roasted rice flour is blended with other ingredients and given spherical shapes like small balls to make laddoos. These delectable treats are thought to aid in body warming. They are enjoyed during Chhath Puja and are packed with dry fruits.