Bihar Famous Sweets: Complete Bihari Sweets Name List

Looking for the most famous Bihar sweets? The best-known names are thekua, khaja from Silao, tilkut from Gaya, anarsa, khurma, balushahi, parwal ki mithai, lai, belgrami, malpua and pua. Each one is tied to a place, a season or a festival, and together they show how Bihar's sweets lean on simple pantry ingredients like wheat, rice, jaggery, sesame, khoya and ghee.

If you want the short answer on what to order from outside Bihar: thekua, khaja, tilkut, anarsa and khurma are dry sweets that travel well. Milk-based sweets like parwal ki mithai and belgrami taste best fresh and close to where they are made.

Bihar Famous Sweets at a Glance

• Most famous Bihari sweet: thekua, the main prasad of Chhath Puja.
• Silao khaja (Nalanda) received a GI tag in December 2018.
• Gaya is known for tilkut, made from sesame and jaggery or sugar in winter.
• Best sweets to order from outside Bihar: thekua, khaja, tilkut, anarsa and khurma, because they are dry and travel well.
• Milk-based sweets like parwal ki mithai and belgrami are best eaten fresh, close to where they are made.

Bihar Famous Sweets: The Complete Name List

Here is a simple Bihari sweets name list, with what each sweet is and where it is best known.

1. Thekua

Thekua is the most iconic sweet of Bihar. It is made from whole wheat flour, jaggery or sugar and ghee, pressed in a wooden sancha mould and fried slowly until crisp outside and firm inside. It is the main prasad of Chhath Puja, which you can read more about in our story of thekua in Chhath Puja.

2. Khaja

Khaja is a flaky, layered sweet made from refined flour dough, fried and dipped in sugar syrup. Silao in Nalanda district is the most famous name for khaja, and Silao khaja carries a GI tag. It is also a common part of wedding gifts in Bihar.

3. Tilkut

Tilkut is made by pounding roasted sesame seeds with jaggery or sugar into thin, crunchy discs. Gaya is the best-known home of tilkut, and it is a winter sweet that peaks around Makar Sankranti.

4. Anarsa

Anarsa is made from soaked and ground rice, mixed with jaggery or sugar, coated in sesame or poppy seeds and fried. It is especially popular in Gaya and is often made around Diwali.

5. Khurma

Khurma is made of small pieces of fried dough coated with a crisp layer of sugar. It is a simple, crunchy sweet that keeps well and is common at fairs, weddings and festivals.

6. Balushahi

Balushahi is a soft, flaky fried sweet soaked in sugar syrup, with a slightly crumbly bite. It is loved across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

7. Parwal ki Mithai

This is one of the most unique Bihar famous food sweet items. Parwal (pointed gourd) is cooked in sugar syrup, hollowed and stuffed with sweetened khoya. It is a must-try, but it is best eaten fresh.

8. Lai

Lai is a soft sweet made with ramdana (amaranth seeds) and khoya. Barh, near Patna, is well known for its lai.

9. Belgrami

Belgrami is a milk-based sweet made from chhena and khoya, closely linked with Udwantnagar in Bhojpur district.

10. Malpua and Pua

Malpua is a rich, fried pancake made from a sweet batter, often served at Holi. Pua is its simpler home-style cousin, made with wheat flour and jaggery and fried in ghee.

Which Bihari Sweets Travel Well?

If you are buying Bihari sweets online or carrying them back home, choose dry, low-moisture sweets:

• Thekua: the best traveller, with a long shelf life when stored right (see our thekua storage guide)
• Khaja and khurma: dry and crisp, but handle gently as they can break
• Tilkut: travels well in cool, dry weather
• Anarsa: travels reasonably well when packed airtight

Parwal ki mithai, belgrami, malpua and lai contain milk or khoya, so they are best enjoyed fresh or bought locally.

Why Thekua Is the Best Bihari Sweet to Order Online

Thekua was made for long journeys and festive sharing. A properly made thekua uses little moisture, which is why families have packed it for relatives living far away for generations. At Bihari Delights, every batch is handmade with whole wheat, natural jaggery or sulphur-free sugar and 100% pure desi ghee, never vegetable oil or dalda. We use traditional wooden sancha moulds, add no preservatives, artificial flavour or colour, and make each order fresh.

You can choose Classic Thekua, Dry Fruit Thekua, Mini Thekua, combo packs or gift hampers for Chhath, Diwali, weddings and corporate gifting. Curious how it compares with another classic? Read thekua vs khajuria.

Sources: Silao Khaja GI tag (GKToday). Dates and rules can change, so always confirm with the official or local source.

Bihar Famous Sweets: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous sweet of Bihar?

Thekua is the most famous and widely recognised sweet of Bihar, mainly because of its role as Chhath Puja prasad. Khaja, tilkut and anarsa are also very well known.

Which city in Bihar is famous for which sweet?

Silao is famous for khaja, Gaya for tilkut and anarsa, Barh for lai and Udwantnagar for belgrami. Thekua is made in homes across Bihar.

Can I order Bihari sweets online outside Bihar?

Yes. Dry sweets like thekua ship well. Bihari Delights delivers across India, but we do not ship internationally.

Which Bihari sweets last the longest?

Thekua, khurma and tilkut generally last the longest because they are dry. Milk-based sweets should be eaten within a short time.

Want to taste Bihar at home? Explore our handmade thekua range or buy thekua online with delivery anywhere in India.