Traditional Chhath Puja Recipes

Chhath Puja prasad (offerings) includes recipes made from wholesome ingredients such as wheat flour, jaggery, rice, and fruits. The food is prepared with utmost cleanliness and devotion, and each dish holds cultural value for the families celebrating this festival.

1. Thekua 🌾

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups wheat flour
  • 1 cup jaggery (grated)
  • 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • Oil or ghee for frying
• Instructions:
  1. Dissolve jaggery in water by heating it gently. Allow it to cool slightly.
  2. In a mixing bowl, add wheat flour, fennel seeds, and melted ghee. Pour in the jaggery syrup and knead to form a semi-soft dough.
  3. Take small portions of the dough and shape them into flat discs or use a mold to shape thekua.
  4. Heat oil or ghee in a pan, and fry the thekua on medium heat until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drain and set aside.
• Significance: Thekua is the quintessential Chhath prasad, loved for its rich, caramel-like flavor from jaggery and the earthy notes from fennel seeds. This dish is known for its durability, making it ideal for distribution among family, friends, and neighbors.

2. Rasiya (Sweet Rice Kheer) 🍚

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup rice (preferably small-grained)
  • 1.5 liters of milk
  • 1/2 cup jaggery or sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ghee
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • Chopped nuts (optional, for garnish)
• Instructions:
  1. Wash and soak the rice for about 15 minutes, then drain.
  2. Heat ghee in a pan, add rice, and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Pour milk into the pan and bring it to a boil. Cook the rice in the milk until it becomes soft and the mixture thickens.
  4. Add jaggery or sugar and cook for a few more minutes, stirring continuously to avoid sticking.
  5. Add cardamom powder and stir. Garnish with nuts if desired, and serve either warm or chilled.
• Significance: Rasiya is another sacred offering, symbolizing purity and nourishment. It’s often enjoyed after the fast is broken, as its sweet, creamy texture provides comfort and energy.

3. Kaddu-Bhaat with Chana Daal 🍲

• Ingredients for Kaddu-Bhaat (Pumpkin and Rice):
  • 2 cups pumpkin, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Salt to taste
  • 2-3 green chilies (optional)
  • Fresh coriander for garnish
• Instructions:
  1. In a pot, heat ghee, add cumin seeds, and allow them to splutter.
  2. Add diced pumpkin, green chilies, and salt. Cover and cook until the pumpkin softens.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the rice separately in water until soft, then drain.
  4. Once the pumpkin is cooked, add rice to it and mix gently. Garnish with fresh coriander before serving.
• Chana Daal Ingredients:
  • 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas), soaked for 30 minutes
  • Salt to taste
  • A pinch of turmeric powder
  • Water as needed
• Instructions:
  1. In a pot, add soaked chana dal, salt, turmeric, and water. Boil until the dal is soft but not mushy.
  2. Serve alongside the kaddu-bhaat.
• Significance: Kaddu-bhaat with chana dal is a simple yet fulfilling meal often prepared for devotees and is considered sacred food. Its earthy, subtle flavors provide sustenance during the fasting period.

4. Coconut Ladoo 🥥

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cups freshly grated coconut
  • 1 cup condensed milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • Ghee for greasing hands (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. In a pan, add grated coconut and condensed milk. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens and begins to leave the sides of the pan.
  2. Add cardamom powder and mix well. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  3. Grease your hands with ghee, then roll small portions of the mixture into ladoos (balls). Set aside to cool.
• Significance: Coconut ladoos are popular offerings as they symbolize sweetness and purity, and are easy to make and distribute as prasad during the festival.

Tips for Preparing Chhath Puja Offerings

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Traditional prasad is always made with the freshest and purest ingredients as a mark of respect for the Sun God.
2. Maintain Cleanliness: Chhath Puja is known for its emphasis on cleanliness. Ensure that your kitchen and utensils are clean before preparing the offerings.
3. Avoid Onions and Garlic: Most devotees avoid these ingredients, sticking to simple, sattvik (pure) food preparations.
4. Cook with Devotion: While preparing these dishes, devotees often chant prayers or play Chhath songs to maintain a spiritual atmosphere.

These recipes not only enhance the celebration but also connect people to their roots and to each other through the sharing of traditional prasad. Chhath Puja’s simplicity and devotion shine through these delicious dishes, embodying the festival’s spirit of gratitude and reverence.