Historic Khokana Village in Lalitpur Maintains Identity Through Pure Mustard Oil Production

Lalitpur. Khokana, a historic settlement in Lalitpur, is still renowned today for its pure mustard oil. The taste and aroma of pure mustard oil come to mind for many when thinking of Khokana. Locals say that Khokana's identity has been preserved because a wooden oil mill (kol) with a history spanning nearly three hundred years is still operational here.

The historic 'Gabu Jya Sa' oil mill, located in Khokana, Ward No. 21 of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, is still in operation. Local Kancha Maharjan has continued the tradition of the three-hundred-year-old wooden mill. According to him, the pure mustard oil pressed from the kol is sent both domestically and abroad.

During the Malla period, four historic wooden oil mills were operational in Khokana. While three of them have closed over time, one mill keeps the old tradition alive. The process of constructing buildings to bring the remaining three historic mills back into operation has begun through the initiative of the Lalitpur Metropolitan City.

Maharjan stated that foreign tourists also visit Khokana to observe the pure mustard oil and the historic kol. Upon entering Khokana, one sees oil mills and signboards of young entrepreneurs producing oil using modern technology.

According to Pabitra Kumar Dangol, operator of the Khanomi Oil Mill, there are currently 10 to 15 oil mills operating in Khokana. He mentioned that while oil was previously produced communally using wooden kols, most entrepreneurs have started using modern mills because the cost is high and more manpower is required.

Previously, the locals of Khokana used to cultivate mustard themselves, but mustard farming has decreased now. According to Dangol, in the past, Khokana residents used to travel to Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Makwanpur, and Nuwakot to exchange oil for mustard. He informed that currently, since the mustard produced in Nepal cannot meet the market demand, oil is being produced by importing mustard from countries like India and Ukraine.

Khokana, historically known for mustard cultivation and pure mustard oil, remains popular in the market today due to this very identity. Locals believe that the coexistence of modern technology and the old wooden kol is preserving Khokana's oil tradition.