Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showcased Bihar’s cultural heritage on the international stage by gifting Thekua, the traditional offering associated with Chhath Puja, to Richard Raši, Speaker of Slovakia’s National Council, during his visit to Slovakia.
Thekua, a sweet snack deeply linked to the Chhath festival celebrated across Bihar and Jharkhand, was among the cultural gifts presented by the prime minister as part of India’s diplomatic outreach.
The gesture has drawn attention in Bihar, where Thekua is regarded not merely as a festive delicacy but as an integral symbol of faith and tradition.
A Sweet Rooted In Chhath Tradition
Prepared using wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, fennel seeds and ghee, Thekua is most closely associated with Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals in Bihar.
The offering is prepared in households across the state during the festival and is presented to Lord Surya as part of the rituals. For many devotees, Chhath celebrations are considered incomplete without Thekua.
Its simple ingredients, long shelf life and distinctive homemade taste have helped preserve its popularity across generations.
For members of Bihar’s diaspora living elsewhere in India and abroad, Thekua often serves as a nostalgic reminder of home and cultural identity.
पीएम नरेंद्र मोदी ने स्लोवाकिया के राष्ट्रपति और संसद के स्पीकर को भारत की समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक, शिल्प और ज्ञान परंपरा से जुड़े विशेष उपहार भेंट किए।
उपहारों में ब्रास डोकरा एंटेलोप सेट, जीआई-टैग प्राप्त हिमरू सिल्क टाई एवं पॉकेट स्क्वायर, राजस्थान की पारंपरिक कोथेवा कला से बने… pic.twitter.com/7GEBtac0f4
— PB-SHABD (@PBSHABD) June 19, 2026
Bringing Regional Heritage To A Global Audience
The gifting of Thekua follows a broader pattern of showcasing India’s regional crafts, foods and traditions during high-level diplomatic engagements.
Supporters of the move said it highlights the diversity of India’s cultural heritage while bringing greater international attention to Bihar’s traditions.
Digha MLA Dr. Sanjeev Chaurasia welcomed the gesture in a social media post, saying Bihar’s famous traditional sweet had carried the message of Chhath’s faith and India’s cultural heritage to a global audience.
A History Stretching Back Centuries
Food historians and cultural scholars trace Thekua’s roots to ancient traditions associated with sun worship.
Some researchers have linked it to “Apoop”, a sweet preparation mentioned in Vedic literature dating back several millennia. Traditionally made using wheat flour, jaggery, milk and ghee, similar offerings were used in religious rituals and as sacred food presented during worship.
Over time, the preparation evolved into the Thekua widely known today across Bihar and neighbouring regions.
Despite changes in moulds, shapes and decorative patterns over the years, its core recipe and flavour have remained largely unchanged.
प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी जी ने स्लोवाकिया के संसद अध्यक्ष रिचर्ड रासी को बिहार की प्रसिद्ध पारंपरिक मिठाई ‘ठेकुआ’ भेंट की।
छठ महापर्व की आस्था और भारतीय संस्कृति से जुड़ा यह प्रसाद आज विश्व मंच पर भारत की समृद्ध विरासत का संदेश दे रहा है।#thekuaa#biharifood pic.twitter.com/RjaE8anOyl
— Dr. Sanjiv Chaurasia (@schaurasiabjp) June 19, 2026
Symbol Of Bihar’s Cultural Identity
Thekua occupies a unique place in Bihar’s cultural landscape. During Chhath, families often spend hours preparing the offering, which is then distributed among relatives, neighbours and devotees.
Made traditionally with pure ghee, it is prized for its rich flavour and durability, often remaining fresh for extended periods.
By choosing Thekua as a diplomatic gift, the prime minister has once again brought a distinctly Bihari tradition into the international spotlight, underscoring the growing recognition of India’s regional cultural identities in global engagements.
