Chhath Puja 2026: What utensils are used to prepare the offerings for Chhath Puja? Learn why.
Chhath Puja 2026: Purity and sanctity hold special importance during the Chhath festival. Therefore, only special utensils are used to prepare the prasad. Learn about the utensils used.
Prasad of Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja 2026: Chhath Puja, the grand festival of folk faith, is known for its rigorous austerity, cleanliness, and purity. The offerings made to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya hold special significance during this four-day festival. Whether it's Kharna kheer or the Mahaprasad thekua, ordinary kitchen utensils are not used to prepare them.
According to religious beliefs and traditions, utensils made exclusively from clay, brass, bronze, and bamboo are used to prepare and store Chhath offerings. There are deep religious, traditional, and scientific reasons behind this.
Importance of new earthen pots and stove
During Chhath Puja, new earthen pots and a new earthen stove are used to prepare the Kharna Prasad (pudding made of jaggery and rice), a dish made from jaggery. The primary reason behind this is purity and sanctity. On a normal day, onions, garlic, or other tamasic foods are cooked in everyday kitchen utensils and gas stoves, making them impure for the puja. Furthermore, soil is considered a symbol of Mother Earth and nature. Prasad prepared in earthen pots retains its purity and natural flavor, which serves as a means of expressing gratitude to nature.
Why are brass and bronze utensils considered auspicious?
Brass and bronze utensils are most commonly used in the preparation of offerings and offerings of arghya (holy offerings). In Hinduism, brass is considered one of the purest and most virtuous metals. Religiously, brass and bronze are yellow, considered the favorite color of the Sun God. Using yellow objects in the worship of the Sun God is considered highly auspicious. Scientifically, brass possesses antibacterial properties, ensuring that food and water stored in it remain pure for a long time.
The tradition of bamboo baskets and daura
Once the offerings are prepared, it is essential to use bamboo baskets and dauras to decorate them and carry them to the ghats. Bamboo is considered sacred in Hindu tradition and a symbol of family growth. Thekua, coconut, sugarcane, and seasonal fruits are decorated in baskets and offered to the Sun God. Bamboo is completely natural and environmentally friendly, reflecting the Chhath festival's message of love for nature.
With which utensils is the distance maintained?
During the Chhath festival, preparing offerings in iron, steel, aluminum, or plastic utensils is strictly avoided. Aluminum and iron, in particular, are considered incompatible with the rituals and rules of purity. Every year, women observing the fast purchase new brass or clay utensils specifically for Chhath, and after the puja is over, these metal utensils are carefully stored for the next year.