12 Must-Have Dishes for Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, is celebrated with great devotion and reverence to the Sun God. Apart from the traditional rituals, the festival is also known for its simple yet delicious food offerings. Prepared with utmost purity and devotion, these dishes are not only a part of the prasad but also symbolize the spirit of the festival. 

Here’s a list of 12 must-have Chhath Puja foods that play an essential role in the celebrations.

1. Thekua 
2. Pirukiya
3. Chawal Ke Ladoo
4. Hara Chana 
5. Kaddu Bhaat
6. Parwal Ki Mithai
7. Dahi Chuda
8. Kasar
9. Rasiyaw / Rasiya
10. Lauki Bhaat
11. Ghiya Sabzi and Rice
12. Poori

Thekua 

Thekua is a traditional sweet dish that holds a special place in the heart of Chhath Puja celebrations. Made from simple ingredients like wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, this deep-fried delicacy is a must-have offering to the Sun God. Thekua is not just a treat but a symbol of purity and devotion, prepared with love and care by devotees. Its crunchy texture and sweet taste make it a favourite during the festival. As one of the most iconic Chhath Puja foods, Thekua represents the spirit of the festival and the cultural heritage of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Pirukiya

Pirukiya, one of the most cherished Chhath Puja sweets, is a traditional deep-fried pastry with a sweet stuffing. The dough is made from refined flour, and the filling consists of khoya (milk solids), coconut, dry fruits, and sugar, making it a rich and delicious treat. Known for its crispy texture and sweet, flavourful interior, Pirukiya is often served as prasad during the Chhath Puja rituals. Its delicate taste and festive appearance make it a must-have sweet for this sacred occasion, symbolizing devotion and the warmth of the celebrations.

Chawal Ke Ladoo

Chawal Ke Ladoo is a simple yet special sweet prepared during Chhath Puja. Made from rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, these laddoos are a popular offering to the Sun God. The process involves roasting the rice flour and mixing it with melted jaggery and ghee to form delicious, round balls. The sweetness of the jaggery and the earthy flavour of the rice make it a wholesome treat. As one of the traditional Chhath Puja sweets, Chawal Ke Ladoo symbolizes purity and devotion, often enjoyed by devotees as part of the sacred prasad offerings.

Hara Chana 

Hara Chana, or green chickpeas, is a significant part of Chhath Puja food, often used in the form of offerings to the Sun God during the rituals. These green chickpeas are typically boiled or lightly sautéed and served as a Savory dish. Hara Chana is not only nutritious but also symbolizes the connection to nature and the harvest season, making it an important component of the festival. As a part of the prasad or meal, this dish reflects the simplicity and purity that defines Chhath Puja.

Kaddu Bhaat

Kaddu Bhaat is a humble yet flavorful dish that plays a central role in Chhath Puja food offerings. It consists of Kaddu ki Sabzi (pumpkin curry) served with Bhaat (plain boiled rice). The pumpkin curry is cooked without onions and garlic, adhering to the purity and simplicity of the festival. Mildly spiced and light, Kaddu Bhaat is typically enjoyed as a meal during the fasting period or after the rituals. This wholesome and nutritious dish symbolizes the traditional and earthy flavours of the festival, reflecting the essence of devotion and simplicity.

Parwal Ki Mithai

Parwal Ki Mithai is a distinctive and delightful sweet that is often enjoyed during Chhath Puja. Made from parwal (pointed gourd), this sweet is created by hollowing out the parwal, boiling it to soften, and then stuffing it with a rich mixture of khoya (milk solids), dry fruits, and sugar. The stuffed parwal is then cooked in sugar syrup to give it a glossy finish and enhance its sweetness. As one of the unique Chhath Puja sweets, Parwal Ki Mithai adds an interesting twist to the festive offerings, combining the freshness of vegetables with the richness of traditional Indian sweets.

Dahi Chuda

Dahi Chuda is a simple yet traditional dish that holds significance in Chhath Puja food offerings. It is made by combining flattened rice (chuda or poha) with curd (dahi) and sometimes sweetened with sugar or jaggery. This dish is often consumed during the early morning rituals of Chhath Puja, providing a light and refreshing meal. Known for its cooling properties and ease of preparation, Dahi Chuda symbolizes purity and simplicity, aligning perfectly with the essence of the festival. It is both a nourishing and spiritual dish, making it a must-have during the Chhath Puja celebrations.

Kasar

Kasar is a cherished sweet that holds a special place in the array of Chhath Puja sweets. This simple yet flavourful delicacy is made using roasted rice flour, jaggery, and ghee, often mixed with grated coconut or sesame seeds. These ingredients are combined and shaped into round ladoos, symbolizing the purity and devotion of the festival. Kasar is prepared as a part of the prasad offerings and is enjoyed by devotees as a wholesome and nutritious treat. Its rustic charm and natural sweetness make it an essential part of the Chhath Puja celebrations

Rasiyaw / Rasiya

Rasiyaw, also known as Rasiya, is a traditional sweet dish that is integral to the Chhath Puja sweets offerings. Made from rice, jaggery, and milk, this kheer-like dish is prepared with devotion and offered to the Sun God during the evening Arghya. The jaggery adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the dish, making it distinct from regular kheer. Rasiyaw symbolizes the simplicity and purity of Chhath Puja, and its rich, earthy flavours are a comforting part of the festival. It is a must-have sweet that connects devotees to the divine through its sacred preparation and significance.

Lauki Bhaat

Lauki Bhaat is a traditional dish made from lauki (bottle gourd) and rice, forming an essential part of Chhath Puja food. Prepared without onions or garlic, this dish is light, nutritious, and easy to digest, aligning with the festival's emphasis on purity and simplicity. The bottle gourd is cooked with minimal spices and served with plain boiled rice (bhaat), making it a wholesome meal for devotees during the fasting period. Lauki Bhaat is both a nourishing and symbolic dish, reflecting the spiritual and humble essence of Chhath Puja.

Ghiya Sabzi and Rice

Ghiya Sabzi and Rice is a staple in Chhath Puja food. This simple, nutritious dish is prepared with bottle gourd (ghiya) and cooked without onions and garlic, maintaining the purity of the festival. It is typically paired with plain boiled rice, creating a light and wholesome meal that devotees enjoy during the fasting period. This combination reflects the simplicity and spiritual significance of the festival, making it an integral part of the Chhath Puja celebrations.

Poori

Poori, a deep-fried Indian bread, is an essential part of Chhath Puja food. Made from wheat flour dough, pooris are rolled into small discs and fried in hot oil until golden and puffed. These light, crispy breads are usually served alongside dishes like Kaddu ki Sabzi or Ghiya Sabzi during the festival. Pooris are often prepared in large batches as part of the prasad offerings to the Sun God, symbolizing purity and devotion in the Chhath Puja rituals.

Chhath Puja fruits and their significance:

During Chhath Puja, fruits play a crucial role in the offerings made to the Sun God. These fruits symbolize prosperity, health, and purity, and are placed in the soop (traditional bamboo basket) during the rituals. Here’s a list of essential fruits used in Chhath Puja offerings:

Chhath puja fruits list and its significance.

Daab Nimbu - (Green Coconut Lemon) – Known for its cooling properties, daab nimbu is an essential offering, symbolizing purity and freshness.

Sugarcane - Long stalks of sugarcane represent strength and prosperity and are a key part of the soop (bamboo basket) offerings

Banana - A whole bunch of bananas is always included in the offerings, symbolizing abundance and fertility.

Panifal - (Water Chestnut) – Panifal, or water chestnut, is often offered in its raw form during Chhath Puja, symbolizing the earth and water elements.

Coconut - A crucial part of Chhath Puja, coconuts represent purity and are offered whole, often placed on top of other offerings.

Supari - (Betel Nut) – Supari is an important item in the offerings and symbolizes good luck, fertility, and prosperity.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja: Rituals and Traditions:

Day 1: Nahay Khay (First Day)

Morning: Devotees begin by bathing in a holy river or pond and cleaning their homes.

Afternoon: A simple meal (kaddu-bhaat) is prepared, marking the beginning of the fasting period.

Day 2: Lohanda and Kharna (Second Day)

Evening: After fasting the entire day, devotees prepare a meal of jaggery kheer, puris, and fruits for the evening offering and break their fast.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (Third Day)

Evening: Devotees gather near a riverbank or pond to offer the first Arghya to the setting sun. They carry baskets filled with fruits, thekua, and other offerings, and perform rituals accompanied by devotional songs.

Day 4: Usha Arghya (Fourth Day)

Early Morning: Devotees return to the waterbody to offer the second Arghya to the rising sun, concluding the festival with prayers and blessings.

Post Ritual: Devotees break their fast with the prasad and distribute it among family and friends.

Chhath Puja is not just a religious celebration but a reflection of the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual traditions of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The festival is marked by its simplicity and purity, which is evident in the carefully chosen Chhath Puja food and Chhath Puja sweets. These offerings are prepared with utmost devotion, symbolizing the love and respect for the Sun God. The Chhath Puja fruits list also plays a significant role in the rituals, with each fruit symbolizing prosperity, health, and purity. The combination of these foods and fruits not only nourishes the body but also connects the devotees spiritually to nature and the divine, making the festival a wholesome experience filled with devotion, gratitude, and a sense of community.

FAQ:

What is the special prasad of Chhath Puja?

Thekua is the most iconic prasad during Chhath Puja. This sweet treat is made by mixing ghee, wheat flour, dry fruits, and sugar into a dough. The dough is then shaped into small discs or tikkis and deep-fried until golden brown. Its rich, crunchy texture and simple ingredients make it a beloved offering to the Sun God and a favourite among devotees during the festival.

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Yes, Club Mahindra has a resort in Uttar Pradesh, the Saura Hotel in Agra. This resort in Agra offers a comfortable stay with well-furnished rooms featuring garden or pool views. Guests can relax at the on-site spa, dine at the multi-cuisine restaurant, and enjoy the bar. Located conveniently near the Taj Mahal, Saura Hotel is an excellent base for exploring Agra’s historical sites like the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, making it ideal for both leisure and cultural experiences.

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Which deity is worshiped during Chhath puja?

During Chhath Puja, devotees worship Surya, the Sun God, along with Chhathi Maiya, a deity believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Usha, who represents dawn. Surya is honoured as the source of all life and energy, and Chhathi Maiya is worshiped for granting health, prosperity, and well-being. The rituals are performed to thank these deities and seek their blessings for the family’s welfare.