Thekua Prasad Recipe: Chhath Puja is considered one of the most difficult fasts. In this, along with observing waterless fast, the process of preparing Prasad is also quite laborious. Thekua, which is the main prasad of this fast, has a special method of preparation. In this, flour is prepared not by purchasing flour from the market, but by grinding wheat at home.
First of all, fresh wheat prepared from the new crop is purchased. Then it is carefully cleaned so that there are no impurities like any other grains, mustard seeds or pebbles in it. After this the wheat is washed thoroughly with water. The place where sunlight comes is first cleaned and the wheat is dried by spreading a thin, clean cloth there. During this time, some member of the family remains present there so that no animal or bird can touch or eat the wheat. In this way Prasad is made entirely from pure wheat.
When the wheat is completely dried, it is ground in the household mill. That means the flour used for Prasad is prepared at home. Thekua is made from this sacred flour, which is offered to Chhathi Maiya with reverence and devotion.
To make Thekua, first of all a stove is prepared which should be clean and pure. In many homes it is made on an earthen stove, as it is considered traditional and pure.
The jaggery is broken in a clean vessel and kept on the stove along with water. Then syrup is made by melting it on low flame. Keep in mind that the jaggery syrup should not be too thick or hard, it should just be kept slightly sticky.
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Now pure cow ghee is mixed with wheat flour. Then the dough is kneaded with the prepared jaggery syrup. Some cardamom powder can also be added for taste and aroma. After this thekua is shaped with the help of a mould.
Ghee is heated in a brass pan. Then thekua is added one by one on low flame and fried till it turns golden brown. Keep in mind that thekua does not burn and is cooked evenly from both the sides.
The fried thekua is kept in a sacred place where children or animals cannot touch it. Thekua is offered to Chhathi Maiya along with fruits and other offerings during the evening and morning Arghya. After the morning Arghya, this Thekua is distributed as Prasad. Fasting women break their fast by eating Thekua Prasad.
