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Chhath Puja is one of the most celebrated festivals in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Jharkhand. It is a four-day festival celebrated with full zeal and fervour. This year, Chhath Puja will begin with Nahay Khay on October 26 and will commence on October 28, 2025. This celebration is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. This four-day festival combines devotion, purity, and simplicity. Not only spirituality, but food plays an important role during these rituals.
Every dish prepared during chatth puja is satvik, i.e. prepared without onion, garlic, making sure it is pure to be offered as prasad. From the crispy thekua to the comforting rasiyaw, every recipe is a reflection of gratitude for nature’s surplus. These traditional foods not only nourish the body after long hours of fasting but also represent the spirit of humbleness, community, and devotion. Let’s explore authentic Chhath Puja dishes that symbolise the religious connection between food and faith during this auspicious occasion.
Thekua
Thekua is the most loved food during Chhath Puja, which is prepared as prasad or offering to Surya Dev. Prepared from whole wheat flour, jaggery (gud), or ghee, it is deep-fried until it turns crisp and golden brown. It's slightly sweet, nutty in taste, and aromatic with hints of cardamom and coconut. Not only this, but it is also loved for its long, long shelf life. Crunchy from the outside, soft from inside, thekua symbolises purity and devotion, as it is prepared without salt or using water, using only the sacred ingredients.
Chawal Ke Ladoo
Prepared from freshly grated rice flour, gud, and ghee, these soft, chewy laddoos are a divine Chhath Puja offering. Prepared as an offering or prasad to the Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, these ladoos represent simplicity and devotion. The sweetness of gud combines amazingly with the light texture of rice, making a wholesome treat that is both festive as well as nourishing. These chawal ke laddoos deliver energy to devotees during fasting and display the goodness and wellness of homemade delicacies.
Kaddu-Bhaat
Kaddu-bhaat is a comforting dish prepared from pumpkin or kaddu served with steamed rice, and is prepared during the Nahai Khai ritual, which is the first day of the Chhath Puja ritual. The pumpkin or kaddu is prepared with minimal spices, specifically in ghee and some tempering of cumin, which creates natural sweetness. The dish has a light, soothing flavour, ideal for cleansing the body just before fasting. The simplicity of the dish represents devotion and purity of the celebration, as only satvik ingredients are used in its preparation.
Rasiyaw-Kheer
Rasiyaw or gud ki kheer is a dessert prepared with rice, jaggery, and milk, and cooked slowly until it gets a thick consistency. It is offered to Surya Dev on the last day of Chhath Puja as part of the arghya. The deeply caramelised flavour with hints of cardamom makes the texture velvety with soft grains of rice. Rasiyaw represents sweetness and devotion, which is a comforting ending to 4 days of fasting. Served warm or chilled, it represents the essence of Chhath traditions.
Puri And Sookha Kala Chana
It is a simple but satisfying combination that is served after the final offering to the Surya Dev. The puris are deep-fried, while the chana is slightly spiced up with rock salt and cumin. The balanced, savoury, earthy, and mildly tangy restores energy after the fasting rituals. This meal celebrates both spiritual fulfilment as well as nourishment, representing gratitude and sharing at the end of the four-day-long festivities.
