Tokha residents busy in making chaku for Maghe Sankranti (With photos and video)

KATHMANDU: Tokha, a Newar settlement on the northern outskirts of Kathmandu, is popular for making chaku (hardened molasses).

There are around a dozen of chaku industries being operated in Tokha.

With Maghe Sankranti, one of the popular Nepali festivals, is right round the corner, the industries are busy in making chaku.

Chaku is an essential item eaten during the first day of the month of Magh that is Maghe Sankranti.

There are 13 chaku industries within the Tokha Traditional Chaku Conservation Society.

The Society Chairman Krishna Shrestha said that the industries sell up to 165 kg of chaku in two months Mangsir and Poush (December and January) and earn Rs 300,000 to 400,000.

He said that around 300 to 400 people get jobs in this period. A normal one kg chaku costs Rs 100 to 140. Similarly, khuwa chaku, sutkeri chaku and special chaku cost Rs 180 per kg.

Photos and video: Saroj Baizu