Kharna Prasad: What Is Prepared for Prasad and Why? Significance of Gur Ki Kheer and Roti

Kharna 2026 will be observed on Saturday, November 14, as the second day of the four-day Chhath Puja festival. On this occasion, devotees prepare traditional gur ki kheer (jaggery rice pudding) and wheat roti as prasad after observing a day-long fast. Also known as Lohanda, Kharna marks an important transition in the festival, as devotees consume the sacred meal after evening prayers and begin the rigorous 36-hour Nirjala vrat (fast without food and water).

The preparation of Kharna prasad follows traditional food practices, with special attention given to cleanliness, purity and the ingredients used. Gur ki kheer, also called Rasiyaw or Rasiya, is considered the main offering, while ghee-coated wheat roti is commonly served alongside it. These preparations are not merely traditional dishes but hold religious and cultural significance for devotees, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: Chhath Puja Day 2 (14 November, 2026): Kharna Date, Puja Vidhi, Kheer Prasad and Fasting Rules

Kharna 2026: Date and Significance of the Ritual

Kharna will take place on November 14, 2026, following Nahay Khay on November 13. Devotees observing the Chhath vrat maintain a fast throughout the day and prepare the traditional prasad in the evening.

After sunset, the vratin (person observing the fast) performs prayers and offers the prepared food to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. The devotee then consumes the prasad, which marks the beginning of the approximately 36-hour Nirjala fast. This fast continues until November 16, when devotees offer Usha Arghya to the rising Sun and complete the festival through Parana.

Kharna is considered a day of discipline, devotion and spiritual preparation. It allows devotees to strengthen their commitment before the most demanding phase of Chhath Puja.

Also Read: Chhath Puja Complete Samagri List: Check All Items Required for Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Usha Arghya

What Is Prepared as Kharna Prasad?

The traditional Kharna meal mainly consists of two preparations: gur ki kheer and wheat roti. Both are prepared using simple ingredients and follow specific cooking customs.

1. Gur Ki Kheer (Rasiyaw)

Gur ki kheer is the most important preparation associated with Kharna. It is traditionally made using rice, milk and jaggery instead of refined sugar. In Bihar and neighbouring regions, this preparation is popularly known as Rasiyaw or Rasiya.

The rice is cooked slowly in milk until it becomes soft and creamy. Jaggery is then added to provide natural sweetness and its distinctive flavour. The preparation is made without unnecessary ingredients, following the traditional sattvik food practices associated with Chhath.

Why is gur ki kheer prepared?

Jaggery is traditionally associated with purity, simplicity and nourishment. Unlike refined sugar, it is an unrefined sweetener and is considered suitable for traditional festival offerings.

Milk is associated with nourishment and prosperity, while rice is a staple food that holds an important place in Indian religious offerings. Together, these ingredients make gur ki kheer a simple yet significant offering for Kharna.

The preparation is also considered a nourishing meal before devotees begin their extended fast.

2. Wheat Roti With Desi Ghee

Another important part of the Kharna meal is wheat roti, which is commonly prepared using whole wheat flour. The rotis are often cooked on a traditional earthen stove and coated with pure desi ghee. In some households, puri or other traditional preparations may also accompany the kheer, depending on regional and family customs.

Why is roti prepared during Kharna?

Wheat is a staple grain in many parts of India and is traditionally associated with nourishment and sustenance. Roti represents simplicity and the connection between food, agriculture and everyday life. Desi ghee adds richness to the preparation and is traditionally valued as a nourishing ingredient. The combination of wheat, ghee and jaggery-based kheer also provides energy before the long fasting period begins.

How Is Kharna Prasad Prepared?

Preparing Kharna prasad involves following traditional practices that emphasise cleanliness and devotion. The food is generally prepared in a carefully cleaned kitchen using ingredients reserved for the occasion.

Some common preparation practices include:

• Cleaning the kitchen: The cooking area is thoroughly cleaned before preparing the prasad.
• Using traditional utensils: Many families prefer new or properly purified earthen, brass or other traditional utensils.
• Cooking on an earthen stove: In several households, the prasad is prepared on a मिट्टी का चूल्हा (earthen stove) using dried mango wood.
• Avoiding certain ingredients: Onion, garlic and salt are traditionally excluded from the Kharna prasad.
• Preparing fresh offerings: Gur ki kheer and wheat roti are prepared fresh for the evening ritual.

After preparation, the food is arranged for worship and offered to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev. The vratin consumes the prasad after completing the prayers.

Why Is Kharna Prasad Consumed in Silence?

One of the distinctive traditions associated with Kharna is consuming the prasad in silence. In many families, the vratin eats the meal in a quiet and separate space without interruptions.

According to popular religious beliefs, the meal should not be disturbed by loud noises or conversations. Some traditional practices also hold that if the devotee is interrupted while eating, they should stop the meal rather than resume it.

This custom reflects the importance of concentration, discipline and devotion during Kharna. However, specific practices can differ between families and communities. After the vratin completes the meal, the remaining prasad is distributed among family members, relatives and neighbours.

Read Detail: Kharna 2026: Why Is the Prasad Eaten in Complete Silence? Ritual Rule Behind Chhath Puja's Second Day

What Happens After Kharna?

Kharna marks the beginning of the most demanding phase of Chhath Puja. After consuming the evening prasad on November 14, devotees traditionally observe a Nirjala fast for approximately 36 hours.

On November 15, they will gather at riverbanks, ponds and designated Chhath ghats to perform Sandhya Arghya, offering prayers to the setting Sun. The festival concludes on November 16 with Usha Arghya, when devotees offer water and prayers to the rising Sun.

After completing the morning rituals, devotees perform Parana and break their fast by consuming water and prasad according to their family traditions.

Read Next: Chhath Puja 2026 Date: Check 4-Day Calendar, Nahay Khay, Kharna and Arghya Timings