Chhath Puja | The Main Attraction Thekua

History of Chhath Puja:

It is said that the rituals of Chhath Puja may is mentioned in the Rigveda features hymns adulating the Lord Surya. The custom also find a reference in Mahabharat, in which Draupadi is described as observing the rituals. According to Mahabharat, Draupadi and Pandavas - the rulers of Indraprastha, performed the rituals of Chhath Puja on the recommendation of noble sage Dhaumya. After the adulation of Lord Surya, Draupadi not just came out of all her troubles, but also helped the Pandavas to regain their lost kingdom.

Chhath Puja:

Chhath is an ancient Hindu vedic festival, native to the Indian state of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar pradesh and the Madhesh region of Nepal. The Chhath Puja is dedicated to God Sun and his sister Shashti Devi. The rituals of the festival are stringent and are observed for a period of four days. 

They include the first day of Chhath Puja is called as Nahay - Khay means bath and eat. On this day worshipers (Parvaitin) take a holy bath and take only one meal all through the day. The meal includes Kaddu Bhaat with Channa dal (gram pulses) and bachka. These meals are made without the use of onion, garlic and common salt.

Te second day of the festival is called Kharna. On this day worshipers observe a fast for the whole day and in the evening they prepare special prasad Kheer (rice cooked in milk and jaggery), roti and fruits mainly banana. This prasad is offered to Chhathi Maiya and that worshipers break their fast by eating the prasad. Later the prasad is distributed among family and friends. 

The third day of Chhath Puja is Shandhya Arghya (evening worship). The whole day goes in preparing Thekua and arranging fruits. Worshipers and all the family members wear new clothes and gather at the bank of river or pond. They sing songs related to Chhath Puja and at the time when sun sets, they offer evening arghya (prayer) to Lord Surya. 

The fourth and last day is called Bhor Arghya (morning prayer) and Paran. On this day day worshipers and all family members again go to same river bank or pond bank to offer morning arghya. This arghya is offered to the rising sun and the grand Chhath Puja ends here. After returning home, worshipers break their fast by eating ginger, jaggery and drinking water. After that they eat delicious food i.e., five types of vegetables (Kohra, Kaddu, Channa, Saag, Muli) with rice, channa dal and bachka. 

The worshipers prays for the well-being of their family and prosperity of their offspring. The prasad includes Kheer, Thekua, Rice-laddu (made with rice flour and jaggery) and fruits i.e., sugercane, coconut, banana, pineapple and all seasonal fruits offered in a bamboo soop.

Chhath is also celebrated in summer, on Chaitra Shashthi, is called Chaiti Chhath.

The Main Attraction Thekua:

Thekua is a prasad in Chhath Puja. The main ingredients of thekua are wheat flour, chasni of melted sugar or jaggery, ghee and cardamom. Dough is prepared by using these four ingredients. Dough is shaped into small cookies and then deep fried in ghee or vegetable oil till it become reddish brown. It is soft when hot and harden after it cools. It can be preserved for many days for eating.

              May this Chhath Puja mark the beginning of life, fortune and success for you.

                      Be blessed by God Sun.