Delicious Kasar Laddus: A Traditional Sweet for Chhath Puja

Celebrating Chhath Puja with Kasar Laddus

During the festive occasion of Chhath Puja, the *maha-prasad* (sacred offering) includes more than just *thekua*, *kheer*, and fruits. A cherished tradition involves making *kasar laddus*, particularly in Bihar and the Purvanchal region, for the third day of Chhath, known as the *sandhya arghya* (evening offering). These delightful sweets are crafted from a blend of rice, jaggery, *ghee* (clarified butter), and dried fruits.

You may wonder why rice is the primary ingredient for these *laddus*. This practice is steeped in religious significance, as the first harvest of the new crop is offered to the Divine, with these *laddus*—made from rice and jaggery—symbolizing this act of reverence.

How to Make Kasar Laddus
These traditional *kasar laddus* require minimal ingredients but can rival many other sweets in taste. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients
1 cup roasted rice flour
1/2 cup jaggery
1/2 cup *desi ghee* (clarified butter)
1/2 cup fennel seeds (*saunf*)
1/4 cup grated coconut
2 tablespoons cashews
2 tablespoons raisins
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 cup water

Preparation Method
To create the *kasar laddus*, start by combining 1/2 cup of jaggery with 1/4 cup of water in a small pan.

Heat this mixture until the jaggery fully dissolves. To check the consistency, take a drop of the syrup between your fingers; it should form a single thread (*ek-taar*).

Once done, remove the pan from heat and set it aside while you prepare the *laddus* mixture.

In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of roasted rice flour with 1/4 cup of grated coconut, 2 tablespoons of raisins, 2 tablespoons of cashews, and 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder.

Then, incorporate 1/2 cup of fennel seeds and the *ghee*, mixing thoroughly. Gradually add the jaggery syrup to this mixture, a little at a time, until it reaches a consistency suitable for shaping into *laddus*.

If the mixture is too wet, simply add more rice flour.

Now, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into *laddus*.

Your special *Kasar laddus* for Chhath Puja are now ready to enjoy.

The wonderful aspect of this traditional sweet is that it can be made ahead of time and stored for an extended period.

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