Chhath Puja 2024: A Rich History Revealed from the Sacred Offerings of Chhath Festival

As the festive season knocks, so does the long-awaited treat of Chhath—Thekua, the essential prasad of the celebration! Ever wonder about its origins? Let's dive into the history of this cherished delicacy and its significance during Chhath.

Thekua,Chhath Puja 2024 Beloved Prasad

Thekua is the undisputed hero of offerings during Chhath! Made from wheat flour, jaggery, coconut, almonds, fennel seeds, and raisins, this prasad isn't just tasty—it is steeped in tradition. It is so essential that the festival will not be complete without it, as devotees share this sacred treat with friends and family, spreading joy and unity.

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Thekua has been known traditionally to be the most liked of Chhathi Maiya, the festival's deity. It has become something of an item bringing people happiness and prosperity as its blessings. As distributed in the form of prasad, this symbolises the harmony between the communal spirits and godly favours. It is popularly known by the name of Khajuriya or Thikri. There was a sweet known to mankind even as early as about 3700 years back by the name of "Apupa," as told by historians from the pages of the Rig Veda, which seems to link its origins back to this early sweet of yore. Even more intriguing is a legend which states that when Lord Buddha got enlightenment and sat under Bodhi tree for 49 days, two merchants made a dish of flour, ghee, and honey to feed him. This actually sounds like an early edition of Thekua

How did Thekua get its name? According to one theory, it is derived from the Hindi verb "thokna," which relates to pounding dough into molds using weight. Another claims that the term is derived from a Bihari word meaning to lift or to establish, suggesting the act of presenting Thekua in Chhath rituals.

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From its rich history to symbolic value, Thekua represents devotion, unity, and tradition in Chhath.