Attraction of youth to Dhaka Topi adds to its sales

Published On: January 2, 2019 09:36 AM NPT By: Mukti Prasad Nyaupane

PALPA, Jan 2: On the occasion of the New Year of the Gregorian calendar, author Krishnakala Bhandari on Tuesday posted a picture of her wearing a Dhaka Topi (Traditional Nepali cap) on social media site facebook. However, she was not the only one to post such a picture. Hundreds of youths in Palpa and from across the nation shared similar photos on the social media.

In recent years, Nepali youths have started celebrating the Dhaka Topi day on January 1. This cap is an integral part of the hill culture and tradition. Therefore, on Tuesday, people across the nation celebrated this day with joy and social media sites were flooded with their photos.

Palpa is a renowned place for Dhaka fabric. With the growing demand of youths, the business of Dhaka has been flourishing here. The celebration of this day has added to the sales of Dhaka Topi for the past five years. In comparison to other districts, the sale of Dhaka Topi is high in Palpa. Kamal Bhandari, proprietor of Madanpokhara Dhaka, said that youths flock his shop especially on January 1.

"On other days, we make around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 a day but today our sale has doubled because of this new celebration," said Bhandari. Apart from this day, this traditional cap is sold hugely on various functions, weddings, festivals and other parties. People also buy it to give others as a souvenir.

A large number of domestic tourists throng Palpa in December. Most of them do not return home without purchasing Dhaka Topi, which is the specialty of this place. This has significantly increased the sale of Dhaka Topi this season, says Raju Bhattarai of Madanpokahara Janaki Dhaka, a Dhaka shop.

Shailendra Bhattarai, vice chairperson of Palpa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) says Dhaka of Palpa has become more popular with the celebration of International Dhaka Topi day. According to him, most people like him like wearing this traditional cap in the winter. "I wear it regularly. It is a part of my personality," said Subedi.

As per the details provided by PCCI, Dhaka worth Rs 200 million is sold annually in the district. Dhaka produced in Palpa is supplied to various districts of Lumbini, Bheri, Rapti, Bagmati etc.