Molasses "Chaku" prepared for Maghe Sankranti Festival

Molasses “Chaku” is usually prepared and consumed during the Maghe Sankranti Festival and throughout winter by Nepalese. Molasses “Chaku” in Nepali is unrefined sugar made from the juice drained out of sugarcane, milk, ghee and nuts. It is believed that consuming “Chaku” promotes good health and warmth in the cold months. In the market shopkeeper sells 250 grams of Chaku at Rs 40 to 50, depending on the ingredients used. Chaku in Nepali is unrefined sugar made from the juice drained out of sugarcane, milk, ghee and nuts. The mixture is boiled to produce a think dark brown syrup with is eventually transformed into firm dark chunks. The festival of Maghe Sankranti celebrates the end of the month of Poush, when religious ceremonies are forbidden. On the first day of the Nepali month of Magh, or Maghe Sankranti, Magar, Newar, Chhetri, Tharu and Chhantyal communities celebrate by calling family get together and eating special delicacies including yam, sel, sweet potato and sesame laddoos.