Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known for promoting local Indian foods and cultural products that define the rich heritage of Bharat. From Kesar Mango to Loktak tea, he has gifted many Indian food products to global leaders on his recent international tours. The latest addition to his list of promoted gifts is Thekua, which he gifted to Ruchard Rasi, Speaker of Slovakia, during his two-nation visit to France and Slovakia.
According to an ANI report, PM Modi gifted Thekua to Rasi. The report states that Thekua is a traditional sweet snack from the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand, made using wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, fennel seeds, and ghee.
What is the importance of Thekua in Bihar and Jharkhand?
The ANI report states that this traditional Indian sweet is prepared during festivals, most notably Chhath Puja, and is known for its simple ingredients, long shelf life, and homemade taste. Thekua reflects cultural tradition, festive celebration, and regional culinary heritage.
Chhath Puja and Thekua
Also known as Maha Parv in Bihar and Jharkhand, Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Mata and is celebrated on the Shashti Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month. The festival is also celebrated in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and with time, it has become popular in other parts of the country too. It is a 4-day festival that starts with Nahaye Khaye, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Argh, and concludes with Suryodaya Argh on the fourth day. On the second day of the festival, devotees prepare Thekua, a deep-fried cookie-like snack served as one of the bhogs during the festival. During the preparation of this sweet, cleanliness plays an important role; hence, devotees clean the wheat grain at home and get the flour made for the bhog dish. It is considered an integral part of the celebration and is prepared on an earthen stove using mango wood for flame.
How to make Thekua at home
Ingredients required:
- 2 cups wheat flour
- 1 cup jaggery powder
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 4 tablespoons desi ghee
- 1 teaspoon dry fruits
- Ghee for deep frying
Method:
Sift the flour in a clean mixing bowl. Add ghee to it and mix well. Next, add jaggery, cardamom powder, along with chopped nuts, and knead a dough using enough water. You can also use sugar instead of jaggery. Make small balls of the dough and shape them into Thekua with the help of wooden embossing. Heat ghee in a kadhai and deep fry the Thekuas until golden brown. Your homemade Thekuas are ready. Store them in an air-tight jar and enjoy.
