KATHMANDU, Jan 11: As the Maghe Sankranti festival approaches, the traders in Tokha, the northern region of Kathmandu, are busy making Chaku (a sweet made from hardened molasses). The molasses is cooked down until it is a solid form, and then pulled on a hook in a manner similar to making taffy and then cut into small rolls.

The chaku produced in Tokha is sent not only to the Kathmandu Valley but also to various markets including Narayanghat, Pokhara, Butwal, Biratnagar and other cities of the country.

On Maghe Sankranti, people consume Chaku, sesame seeds laddu, yam, Gundpak, etc., as these items help keep the body warm during the cold months and also provide nourishment for pregnant women.

Here are some photos taken by Republica photojournalist Rajib Khatri of Chaku being produced in Tokha:

 
• Maghe_Sankranti
 
• Chaku_production
 
• Tokha