What Is Chhath Puja 2026 Prasad Besides Thekua? 7 Recipes

Chhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals dedicated to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya. Food offerings, known as prasad, hold a special place in this four-day celebration. While Thekua is the most popular Chhath Puja offering, several other traditional dishes are prepared with devotion and offered during the festival. From sweet rice kheer to kasar, fruits and homemade delicacies, these offerings represent purity, gratitude and prosperity.

During Chhath Puja 2026, devotees can prepare a variety of traditional prasad recipes using simple ingredients such as rice, jaggery, wheat flour, milk and seasonal fruits. Shop Sadhana celebrates Indian traditions by helping devotees explore meaningful religious practices, festive preparations and devotional essentials. This guide covers seven traditional Chhath Puja prasad recipes besides Thekua, along with their ingredients and preparation methods.

What Is Chhath Puja 2026 Prasad and Why Is It Important?

Chhath Puja prasad refers to the traditional food offerings prepared with purity and devotion for Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya during the festival. These offerings generally include homemade sweets, fruits, rice-based dishes and seasonal vegetables prepared without onion and garlic.

Prasad is an important part of Chhath Puja because it represents gratitude towards the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. Devotees prepare food using traditional methods and offer it during the morning and evening rituals.

Unlike many other festivals, Chhath Puja places special importance on cleanliness, discipline and simple ingredients. Food is traditionally prepared in a clean environment, often using ingredients such as jaggery, whole wheat flour, rice and fresh fruits.

Why Are Traditional Prasad Recipes Prepared During Chhath Puja?

Traditional recipes are connected with the cultural and spiritual values of Chhath Puja. Each offering has its own significance, and families often follow recipes passed down through generations.

The prasad is prepared with devotion and offered to the rising and setting Sun. After the rituals, it is distributed among family members, relatives and neighbours as a blessing.

7 Traditional Chhath Puja 2026 Prasad Recipes Besides Thekua

Although Thekua is an essential offering in many Chhath Puja celebrations, several other delicious and traditional recipes are equally important. Here are seven prasad ideas you can prepare at home for छठ पूजा 2026.

1. Rasiyaw: Traditional Jaggery Rice Kheer

Rasiyaw, also known as Rasiya, is a traditional sweet rice preparation made with rice, milk and jaggery. It is particularly popular in Bihar and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh during Chhath Puja.

Ingredients Required

• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 litre milk
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 2 green cardamoms
• A little water

How to Prepare Rasiyaw

First, wash the rice thoroughly and soak it for approximately 20 minutes. Boil milk in a clean cooking vessel and add the soaked rice. Cook on a low flame until the rice becomes soft and the mixture thickens.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding grated or powdered jaggery. Stir gently until the jaggery dissolves completely. Add cardamom for fragrance and flavour.

Your traditional Rasiyaw is ready to be offered as Chhath Puja prasad. Many families prepare it as part of their traditional festival menu.

2. Kasar: Traditional Rice Flour Laddoo

Kasar is another popular Chhath Puja delicacy, especially in Bihar and neighbouring regions. These traditional sweet balls are prepared using rice flour, jaggery and ghee.

Ingredients Required

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup powdered jaggery
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

How to Prepare Kasar

Take a clean pan and lightly roast the rice flour on a low flame. Keep stirring until it releases a pleasant aroma. Allow it to cool before mixing in powdered jaggery and cardamom.

Add melted ghee gradually and combine everything properly. Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into round laddoos using your hands.

Kasar is easy to prepare, requires only a few ingredients and is a traditional sweet offering for Chhath Puja.

3. Sweet Rice: Traditional Meetha Chawal

Sweet rice, commonly known as Meetha Chawal, is another delicious option for festive offerings. It is prepared using rice, sugar or jaggery and aromatic spices.

Ingredients Required

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1/2 cup sugar or jaggery
• 2 tablespoons ghee
• 2 green cardamoms
• A few raisins
• Water as required

How to Prepare Meetha Chawal

Wash and soak the rice for approximately 20 minutes. Cook it in water until the grains are almost tender. In another pan, heat ghee and add cardamom and raisins.

Add sugar or jaggery with a little water and stir until it dissolves. Add the cooked rice and mix gently. Cover the pan and cook on a low flame until the flavours combine.

Allow it to cool before offering it during the festival.

4. Coconut Laddoo: A Simple Festive Sweet

Coconut laddoos are popular Indian sweets that can also be prepared for festive occasions. They are simple to make and require very few ingredients.

Ingredients Required

• 1 cup freshly grated coconut
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 1 tablespoon ghee
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

How to Prepare Coconut Laddoo

Heat ghee in a pan and add grated coconut. Roast it lightly for a few minutes. Add jaggery and mix continuously until the mixture comes together.

Add cardamom powder for flavour and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Grease your palms with a little ghee and shape the mixture into small round laddoos.

These homemade sweets can be included in your Chhath Puja festive preparations. Follow your family’s traditional rules regarding which ingredients are acceptable for the offering.

5. Banana and Seasonal Fruits Offering

Fruits are among the most important offerings during Chhath Puja. Unlike cooked sweets, fresh fruits can be offered without complicated preparation.

Bananas, coconuts, apples, sugarcane, sweet lime and seasonal fruits are commonly included in traditional Chhath Puja baskets.

How to Prepare the Fruit Offering

Select fresh, clean and unspoiled fruits. Wash them properly and allow them to dry. Arrange the fruits neatly in a traditional bamboo basket or soop along with other puja ingredients.

Bananas and coconuts are particularly common in Chhath offerings. The selection of fruits may vary depending on regional traditions and family customs.

6. Sweet Potato and Seasonal Vegetable Offerings

Sweet potatoes and other seasonal vegetables are also included in many traditional Chhath Puja preparations. These simple ingredients reflect the festival’s connection with nature and agriculture.

How to Prepare Sweet Potatoes

Wash fresh sweet potatoes thoroughly to remove dirt. Boil or steam them until they become tender. Allow them to cool before arranging them with other traditional offerings.

Some families also include radish, ginger and turmeric in their Chhath Puja baskets. These ingredients are generally offered fresh rather than prepared as elaborate dishes.

7. Homemade Rice Kheer

Rice kheer is a traditional Indian dessert made with milk, rice and sugar. It is commonly prepared during religious celebrations and family festivals.

Ingredients Required

• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 litre milk
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 green cardamoms
• A few raisins

How to Prepare Rice Kheer

Wash the rice and soak it for 15–20 minutes. Boil milk in a clean vessel and add the rice. Cook on a low flame while stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from sticking to the bottom.

Once the rice becomes soft and the kheer thickens, add sugar and cardamom. Mix everything properly and cook for another few minutes.

Allow the kheer to cool before serving or offering it according to your family’s Chhath Puja traditions.

How to Prepare Chhath Puja 2026 Prasad with Purity?

Preparing prasad for Chhath Puja requires attention to cleanliness, ingredients and traditional customs. The preparation process is considered an important part of the festival.

Here are some simple practices to follow while preparing Chhath Puja offerings:

1. Clean the kitchen: Thoroughly clean the cooking area and utensils before preparing any prasad.
2. Choose fresh ingredients: Use good-quality rice, flour, jaggery, milk and seasonal fruits.
3. Follow traditional recipes: Prepare offerings according to your family’s regional customs and religious practices.
4. Avoid prohibited ingredients: Many families avoid onion, garlic and certain other ingredients while preparing Chhath prasad.
5. Use clean utensils: Keep separate, clean utensils for preparing religious offerings.
6. Arrange the offerings properly: Place the prepared sweets, fruits and other offerings neatly in traditional baskets.

What Is the Role of Devotion During Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is not only about preparing delicious food. It is also about faith, gratitude, discipline and devotion. Devotees observe fasting, offer prayers to the Sun God and follow traditional rituals throughout the festival.

Families may also include devotional practices such as reading religious texts and chanting prayers. For example, some households recite the Shiv Chalisa as part of their personal devotional routine. However, the central worship of Chhath Puja remains dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

How to Arrange Chhath Puja Prasad in a Traditional Soop?

A soop is a traditional bamboo basket used to arrange and carry offerings during Chhath Puja. It holds special importance during the evening and morning arghya rituals.

To prepare a traditional offering basket, arrange fresh fruits, coconuts, sugarcane, Thekua, Kasar and other homemade prasad neatly inside it.

What Should Be Included in a Chhath Puja Basket?

A traditional Chhath Puja basket may include:

• Thekua and Kasar.
• Bananas and coconuts.
• Seasonal fruits.
• Sugarcane.
• Sweet potatoes and other traditional vegetables.
• Homemade sweets and rice-based offerings.

The exact ingredients may differ according to regional customs and family traditions. The main purpose is to prepare the offerings with devotion and maintain cleanliness throughout the process.

Conclusion

Chhath Puja 2026 is a meaningful occasion to celebrate faith, gratitude and family traditions. Although Thekua remains the most recognised offering, recipes such as Rasiyaw, Kasar, Meetha Chawal, coconut laddoo and rice kheer provide several traditional options for preparing prasad at home.

By choosing fresh ingredients, following traditional preparation methods and maintaining cleanliness, devotees can make their festive offerings special. Shop Sadhana celebrates India’s rich devotional traditions and encourages families to keep these cultural practices alive through every festival.

Celebrate छठ पूजा 2026 with devotion, traditional homemade prasad and heartfelt prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the most popular Chhath Puja prasad recipes besides Thekua?

Popular Chhath Puja prasad recipes besides Thekua include Rasiyaw (jaggery rice kheer), Kasar (rice flour laddoo), Meetha Chawal, coconut laddoo and rice kheer. Fresh fruits such as bananas and coconuts are also important offerings prepared for the festival.

2. Is Rasiyaw important during Chhath Puja?

Yes, Rasiyaw is a traditional sweet rice preparation popular during Chhath Puja, particularly in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is generally made using rice, milk and jaggery and is prepared with devotion as part of the festival’s traditional food offerings.

3. Can we offer fruits during Chhath Puja 2026?

Yes, fresh fruits are among the most common Chhath Puja offerings. Bananas, coconuts, apples, seasonal fruits and sugarcane are traditionally included in the puja basket. Fruits should be fresh, clean and arranged properly before the rituals.

4. What ingredients are commonly used to prepare Chhath Puja prasad?

Common ingredients include rice, wheat flour, jaggery, milk, ghee, coconut, bananas and seasonal fruits. Many traditional recipes avoid onion and garlic. Families generally follow their regional customs and traditional preparation methods while making prasad.

5. Why is Kasar prepared during Chhath Puja?

Kasar is a traditional sweet made using rice flour, jaggery and ghee. It is popular in Bihar and neighbouring regions and is prepared as a festive offering during Chhath Puja. Its simple ingredients and traditional preparation make it a favourite among many families.

6. Can we read Shiv Chalisa during Chhath Puja?

Yes, devotees can read Shiv Chalisa as part of their personal prayer routine during the festival. However, Chhath Puja primarily involves worshipping Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya. Reading Shiv Chalisa is a separate devotional practice and is not a compulsory Chhath Puja ritual.

7. How should Chhath Puja prasad be prepared?

Chhath Puja prasad should be prepared in a clean environment using fresh ingredients and clean utensils. Traditional recipes are generally made without onion and garlic. Devotees should follow their family customs, maintain cleanliness and prepare the offerings with devotion.

About the Author

Shop Sadhana Editorial Team creates informative content about Indian festivals, religious traditions, devotional practices and spiritual essentials. The team focuses on sharing accessible information that helps readers understand and celebrate India’s cultural and religious heritage.