Chaku Making for Maghe Sankranti (Photo Feature)

The people of Tokha Bazaar are busy with making chaku as Maghe Sankranti approaches near. As per the custom of eating chaku during the Maghe Sankranti festival, the businessmen of Tokha in Kathmandu are busy making chaku and sesame laddus.

'Tu' signifies sugarcane in Newari, while 'Khya' means 'site of growth'. Tokha is notable for sugarcane agriculture and chaku manufacture. It is thought that the word 'Tokha' was corrupted from Tukhya.

Chaku is traditionally eaten during the Maghe Sankranti holiday, particularly among the Newar community. Tokha is the main settlement of the Newar community. Tokha produces more chaku for Maghe Sankranti than any other location in Kathmandu.

Tokha Bazaar, located in Tokha Municipality's Wards 2 and 3, is the site to 14 chaku-producing industries.

Tokha's Chaku is sold in Kathmandu's Asan, Indrachowk, Bhaktapur, Patan, Kirtipur, and cities outside the valley such as Narayanghat, Pokhara, Butwal, and Biratnagar. Similarly, the knives are sold and distributed in other foreign nations where the Newar community lives.