Sometimes the most memorable food stories aren’t about fancy restaurants or OTT dishes. They’re about the simple things people carry from home. When Harsh Rajput recently appeared on Tere Gully Mein by Curly Tales, that exact feeling surfaced through a conversation about a humble Bihari sweet, Thekua.
What Is Thekua, The Bihar Sweet Linked To Chhath Puja?
Harsh Rajput’s stories throughout the episode were chaotic in the best way possible, but the moment he began talking about thekua, the tone shifted into something warmer.
He described how thekua comes together in a way that sounds deceptively simple. Atta is mixed with ghee to form the base. Some families add jaggery, which gives the sweet its deep caramel-like flavour. The dough is shaped and fried until it turns crisp and golden. And then comes the part that every Bihari household will recognise: the generous soaking in desi ghee.
It’s rich, slightly crunchy and sweet without being overwhelming, and unmistakably homemade. But Harsh Rajput insisted the real story of thekua begins after it is made.
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Why Biharis Carry Thekua From Home?
He painted a picture that anyone who has lived away from home would immediately recognise. A Bihari returning to Delhi, Mumbai, or any big metro city after a trip back home rarely travels light. Somewhere in their luggage, there’s almost always a jar or bottle carefully packed with thekua. That jar is all that matters.
It sits quietly in a hostel room, a rented flat, or a PG kitchen shelf. Days later, when someone opens it, the smell alone can transport them straight back home; to kitchens, family chatter, and afternoons that move slower than city life ever allows.
Harsh Rajput summed up that feeling in a single line that instantly became the highlight of the episode: “Bihar ka yaad aata hai ekdum zabardast.”
And honestly, that one sentence explains everything.
Because thekua isn’t just something you eat with tea or as a quick snack. For many Biharis living far from home, it’s a small edible reminder of where they come from.
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If you’re curious to watch the full exchange, the episode featuring Harsh Rajput is available on the Curly Tales YouTube channel and the Curly Tales app.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
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What is Thekua?
Thekua is a traditional Bihari sweet made with wheat flour (atta), jaggery or sugar, and desi ghee, typically deep-fried until crisp and golden.
Why is Thekua associated with Chhath Puja?
Thekua is one of the most important prasad offerings during Chhath Puja, a major festival celebrated in Bihar and eastern India.
Why do Biharis carry Thekua when travelling?
Many Biharis carry thekua from home because it lasts long and reminds them of family, festivals, and home-cooked food.
What did Harsh Rajput say about Thekua on Curly Tales?
Harsh Rajput described how thekua often travels with Biharis to cities like Delhi or Mumbai and summed up the emotion by saying, “Bihar ka yaad aata hai ekdum zabardast.”