The Sweet Legacy of Bihar: Origin

Thekua, a golden, crispy delight made from wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, is more than just a snack in Bihar—it’s a tradition steeped in devotion, culture, and memory.

Rooted in Rituals

Thekua has its roots in ancient Bihari traditions, especially in the Chhath Puja, a major festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. This humble sweet is offered as prasad (holy offering) during the puja and is believed to be pure and sacred.

Thekua’s simplicity reflects the agrarian lifestyle of Bihar—made from ingredients easily available in rural households: whole wheat flour, jaggery, fennel seeds, and coconut, deep-fried in desi ghee or oil. The signature patterns on thekua, traditionally pressed using wooden moulds (sanch), give it a rustic charm that makes it both beautiful and symbolic.

More Than a Festival Treat

While deeply associated with Chhath, Thekua is also a staple in weddings, long journeys, and household rituals across Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Before refrigeration or packaged snacks, thekua served as an ideal travel food—long-lasting, nourishing, and non-perishable.

Cultural Symbol

Thekua is more than food—it’s a symbol of Bihari identity, matriarchal wisdom, and culinary pride. Mothers and grandmothers pass down their unique thekua recipes through generations, making it a family heirloom in edible form.

In a Modern Bite

Today, with growing interest in regional Indian snacks and health-focused sweets made of jaggery and whole grains, thekua is finding its way into urban homes and even global markets. Yet its essence remains untouched: a bite of nostalgia, a prayer in every piece.