On the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja, the *maha-prasad* (sacred offering) consists of more than just *thekua*, *kheer*, and fruits. There is also a special tradition of preparing *kasar laddus* for this festival. In Bihar and the Purvanchal region, this delicious sweet is prepared for the third day of Chhath—the day of the *sandhya arghya* (evening offering). They are made from a mixture of rice, jaggery, *ghee* (clarified butter), and dry fruits.

You might wonder why these *laddus* are made specifically from rice; this is rooted in religious belief. According to tradition, the first harvest of the new crop is offered to the Divine, and these *laddus*—made from rice and jaggery—symbolize this act of devotion.

Recipe for *Kasar Laddus*
These traditional *kasar laddus* require very few ingredients, yet they can surpass many other sweets in terms of flavor. Here is the recipe:

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

Method
To prepare the *kasar laddus*, begin by adding 1/2 cup of jaggery and 1/4 cup of water to a small pan.

Heat the mixture until the jaggery has completely dissolved in the water. Check the consistency by taking a drop of the syrup between your fingers to see if it forms a single thread (*ek-taar*).

Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside; meanwhile, prepare the mixture for the *laddus*.

In a large plate or bowl, combine 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.

Next, add 1/2 cup of fennel seeds and the *ghee*, and mix everything thoroughly. Next, gradually add the jaggery syrup to this mixture—a little at a time—until the mixture reaches a consistency that allows you to shape it into *laddus*.

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

Now, take a small portion of the mixture in your hands and shape it into small *laddus*.

Your *Chhath Puja* special *Kasar* *laddus* are now ready.

The best part about this traditional sweet is that it can be prepared in advance and stored for a long time.

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