Patna: As soon as the name of Chhath Puja is mentioned, ‘Glass is bamboo’ resounding in the mind and the earthen stove, the cleanliness of Ganga water and the prasad of thekua decorated in the plate is remembered. It is not possible to talk about Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, and not to mention Thekua. Thekua is not only a gift of Chhath Puja but also a symbol of the cultural heritage of Bihar and the sweetness of folk life. Now this taste of traditional thekua is becoming popular throughout the country beyond the borders of Bihar.
The most sacred offering of Chhath: Thekua is considered to be the purest and holiest offering in Chhath Puja. Fasting women make it on a clay stove with complete purity after bathing, meditation and resolution. During this time, no salt, masala or onion-garlic is used in the house. That is why Thekua is called ‘Satvik Prasad’. Fasters share it among the family and society after offering it to Surya Dev and the sixth Maya.
Prasad is made on a clay stove: This festival, dedicated to Lord Surya and the sixth Maya, has many rituals, but one thing is the traditional prasad Thekua. Thekua prepared from simple ingredients like wheat flour, jaggery and ghee is traditionally made on a clay stove.
The sweetness of flavor in simplicity: The greatest feature of thekua is the wonderful blend of its simplicity and taste. It uses jaggery instead of refined sugar, which gives it a natural sweetness. Jaggery provides energy to the body and aids in digestion. Coconuts and dried fruits enhance its host, while ghee makes its taste and aroma divine. This is the reason why this prasad does not spoil for many days and can also be sent to distant relatives.
Balance of health and tradition: Hriday Narayan Jha, a writer who works on the culture of Chhath, says that Thekua is not only sacred from a religious point of view but also beneficial from the point of view of health. The jaggery, flour and ghee present in it provide the necessary host elements in the body.
“This offering provides energy and stability to the body during the change of seasons.” The Thekua used in Chhath is prepared by putting it in a mold and giving shape. There is also a mold on which the shape of the sun is made. This is because what is fast in the sun, it also descends on the fast Thekua.” – Hriday Narayan Jha, writer
The taste reached the whole country from Bihar: Today, thekua has become popular all over the country, crossing the borders of Bihar. Biharis living in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru make it and order it online during Chhath. Events like ‘Bihar Thekua Festival’ have also started to take place in many places. It has become a symbol of the traditional taste and cultural pride of Bihar. For Bihar, Thekua is not just a gift, but a symbol of reverence, simplicity and intimacy.
Mahaprasad ascends during Arghya in Chhath Parv: On Chhath Mahaparva, Arghya is given to the setting sun as well as the rising sun. During this time, Chhath fasters offer a thekua made of flour, jaggery and ghee and various fruits to Lord Bhaskar. The most important offering of this festival is Thekua, which is known as Mahaprasad
