Many people from around the eastern Tarai are going all the way to Hile in Dhankuta to take a sip of the drink. [break]
“There are hordes of people who line up in my restaurant for tongba,” says Yakti Lama of Himali Hotel in Hile.
Yakti claims that those who preferred lassi, ice-cream or soft drinks in the past were now switching over to drinking this alcoholic beverage made of fermented millet.
Hile, which is famous for its tongba, also attracts honeymooners and is turning into a favorite dating spot for eastern Nepalis.
Citing low price as a primary reason for its popularity, Sabita Rai, another restaurant owner, says that almost all restaurants in Hile now serve tongba.
“All people from porters to well off are fans of tongba,” Sabita says. Sukuti, pork and spiced soybean are usually taken along with tongba as snacks.
Sagar Dulal, a tongba fan from Biratnagar, assumes that tongba is popular because it is a mild alcoholic drink.
People from Dharan, Biratnagar, Itahari, Damak, Urlabari, Birtamod, Dhankuta and Bhedetar arrive in Hile for a drink of tongba. According to Krishna Lamsal, a transport entrepreneur, the inflow of local tourists to Hile was increasing because buses from there leave for Dharan and Dhankuta till late in the night.
“People who leave for Hile in the morning can return easily in the evening after enjoying the day there,” says Lamsal.
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