Tokha Bazaar gears up to meet Chaku demand for Maghe Sankranti

KATHMANDU: Tokha Bazaar is bustling with activity as it prepares for the Maghe Sankranti festival.

Renowned for its Chaku, a traditional Nepali delicacy made from boiled molasses, spices, and dry fruits, Tokha becomes the hub of Chaku production during this festive season.

Maghe Sankranti, celebrated on the first day of the Nepali month Magh, will be observed this year on January 14.

Chaku, alongside sesame laddus, is a central part of the festival’s traditions. Tokha, a predominantly Newar settlement, has long been a key supplier of Chaku, catering to the high demand from within the Kathmandu Valley and beyond.

The town’s 14 Chaku industries, located across Wards 2 and 3, are at the heart of this production.

One of the largest producers, Shreekrishna Chaku Industry, employs over 50 workers. Proprietor Santamaya Shrestha, whose family has been in the business for four generations, starts Chaku production right after the Tihar festival to meet the seasonal demand.

The Chaku produced in Tokha is distributed across the Valley to areas like Asan, Indrachowk, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, and Patan.

It also reaches cities outside the Valley, including Narayangadh, Pokhara, Butwal, and Biratnagar. Additionally, there is growing international demand, particularly from countries with significant Newar communities.

Krishna Shrestha, Chair of the Tokha Traditional Chaku Conservation Society, highlighted that Tokha’s Chaku industries are busiest between Kartik (October-November) and Push (January-February). Each industry generates an annual revenue of Rs 3 to 4 million.

Chaku-making in Tokha dates back to 519 AD, and efforts to preserve this tradition led to the establishment of the Tokha Traditional Chaku Conservation Society on November 7, 2016.

Veteran Chaku producer Rajkaji Shrestha, with 50 years of experience, emphasized that Tokha-made Chaku continues to draw demand not only from Nepal but also internationally.

As the Maghe Sankranti festival approaches, Tokha Bazaar stands as a testament to the enduring cultural and culinary heritage of Nepal.