Chhath Puja Prasad 2026: How to Make Traditional Thekua and What to Keep in the Daura

Chhath Puja prasad is prepared with particular care because the offerings are central to the festival's rituals. Thekua, a traditional wheat-flour sweet made with jaggery or sugar, is among the most recognisable offerings. It is accompanied by seasonal fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other items arranged in a bamboo basket called a daura. The ingredients and quantities can vary between households, but the preparation generally follows a simple principle: use fresh, clean and traditionally prepared offerings.

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Thekua Recipe for Chhath Puja

Thekua is a crisp, deep-fried sweet traditionally prepared with wheat flour, jaggery, ghee and aromatic ingredients such as fennel and cardamom.


It is commonly prepared during Chhath Puja in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and among communities that observe the festival elsewhere.

Thekua Ingredients

This recipe makes approximately 15–20 medium-sized thekuas, depending on their size and thickness.

Ingredient	Quantity
Whole wheat flour (atta)	2 cups
Jaggery (gur), grated	¾ cup
Ghee	4 tablespoons
Fennel seeds (saunf)	1 teaspoon
Cardamom powder	½ teaspoon
Grated coconut (optional)	2 tablespoons
Water	As required
Ghee or oil for frying	As required

For a sugar-based version: Replace jaggery with approximately ¾ cup powdered sugar. Adjust the quantity according to sweetness preference.

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How to Make Thekua for Chhath Puja

Step 1: Prepare the Jaggery Syrup

Break the jaggery into small pieces and dissolve it in approximately ½ cup warm water.

Strain the mixture to remove impurities and allow it to cool until lukewarm. Avoid adding hot syrup directly to the flour.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Add wheat flour, ghee, fennel seeds, cardamom powder and grated coconut to a mixing bowl.

Rub the ghee into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add the jaggery syrup and combine.

Knead into a firm, slightly stiff dough. Add a little water only if required. The dough should not be soft or sticky, as this can make the thekua absorb excess oil during frying.

Step 3: Shape the Thekua

Divide the dough into small portions and shape them into discs.

Flatten each portion using your palms. Traditional wooden thekua moulds can be used to create decorative patterns, but a simple disc shape also works.

Make sure the thekuas are of similar thickness so they cook evenly.

Step 4: Fry Until Golden Brown

Heat ghee or oil in a deep pan over medium-low heat.

Add the thekuas in batches. Fry slowly, turning them occasionally, until they become golden brown and crisp.

Avoid frying over high heat. The outer layer may brown quickly while the centre remains undercooked.

Step 5: Cool and Store

Remove the thekuas and place them on a plate lined with absorbent paper.

Allow them to cool completely before storing them in a clean, airtight container.

For Chhath Puja, thekua is traditionally prepared as a sattvik offering. Households observing specific food-preparation customs may use separate utensils and maintain particular kitchen practices.

What Goes in the Chhath Puja Daura Basket?

The daura is a traditional bamboo basket used to carry offerings for Chhath Puja. A smaller bamboo tray or soop is also commonly used to arrange the prasad.

The contents can vary according to family traditions, regional customs and availability of seasonal produce. The following items are commonly included.

1. Thekua

Thekua is one of the principal offerings prepared for Chhath Puja.

It is made using wheat flour, jaggery or sugar and ghee. The thekua is placed in the daura or soop along with other prasad items.

2. Seasonal Fruits

Fresh fruits form an important part of the offerings.

Commonly included fruits are:

• Banana
• Apple
• Orange
• Sweet lime
• Pear
• Coconut

The exact selection depends on availability and family tradition.

3. Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a distinctive offering associated with Chhath Puja.

It is commonly included in the daura and may also be used to create a temporary structure or decorative arrangement at the place of worship.

4. Coconut

A whole coconut is commonly included in the basket.

It is offered during the worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya and is also used in several traditional Hindu puja observances.

5. Other Traditional Offerings

Depending on regional and household customs, the daura may also contain:

• Raw turmeric
• Ginger
• Radish
• Rice
• Seasonal vegetables
• Traditional sweets
• Betel leaves and betel nuts
• Flowers

Not every household includes all these items. The offerings are arranged according to the family's Chhath traditions and the requirements of the ritual.

Chhath Puja Daura Basket Checklist

Use this checklist while preparing the offerings.

• Thekua (traditional Chhath Puja prasad)
• Bananas
• Apples and other seasonal fruits
• Sugarcane
• Whole coconut
• Raw turmeric
• Ginger
• Radish
• Rice
• Traditional sweets
• Flowers
• Betel leaves and betel nuts, if customary
• Bamboo daura or soop (for arranging and carrying the offerings)

How Are the Daura and Prasad Used During Chhath Puja?

The daura and soop are used to carry and arrange the offerings during the festival's main rituals.

Sandhya Arghya

During the evening offering, devotees gather at a riverbank, pond or other designated water body to offer arghya to the setting Sun.

The offerings are arranged in the daura or soop and presented as part of the worship.

Usha Arghya

The following morning, devotees return to offer arghya to the rising Sun.

The prasad and other offerings are presented during the ritual, after which the family follows its customary practices for distributing and sharing the prasad.

Thekua and the other offerings are not merely festive foods; they are prepared and presented as part of the worship of Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

What Makes Chhath Puja Prasad Different?

Chhath Puja prasad is traditionally prepared according to sattvik food practices.

The preparation is generally associated with:

• Clean utensils and a clean cooking space
• Fresh ingredients
• Traditional vegetarian preparation
• Avoiding onion and garlic in the prasad
• Careful handling of the offerings
• Following family-specific preparation customs

Many households also follow particular rules about who prepares the prasad, when it is prepared and how it is stored. These practices can vary, so the family's established Chhath tradition remains important.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main prasad of Chhath Puja?
   Thekua is one of the principal prasad items of Chhath Puja. It is a traditional sweet made with wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, ghee and aromatic ingredients such as fennel and cardamom.
2. What ingredients are used to make Chhath Puja thekua?
   Traditional thekua is made using whole wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, ghee, fennel seeds and cardamom. Some recipes also include grated coconut.
3. What fruits are offered during Chhath Puja?
   Bananas, apples, oranges, sweet lime, pears and coconut are commonly included in the offerings. Sugarcane is also an important traditional offering.
4. What is a daura in Chhath Puja?
   A daura is a traditional bamboo basket used to carry the offerings for Chhath Puja. It commonly contains thekua, fruits, sugarcane, coconut and other items according to family tradition.
5. Can thekua be made with sugar instead of jaggery?
   Yes. Thekua can be prepared using powdered sugar instead of jaggery. Both versions are used in different households, although jaggery-based thekua is a familiar traditional preparation.