Women entrepreneurs making Jhilinga Roti for Tihar

By Gajendra Gurung,Khajura (Banke), Oct. 15: As the Tihar, another major festival of Hindus approaches, there’s a noticeable increase in activity both in the markets and at homes, with people busy preparing sweets and festive dishes. 

One of the traditional items in high demand during this time is Jhilinga Roti, a traditional crunchy Nepali food and many women entrepreneurs are keeping themselves busy with its production.

Shweta Gurung, a female entrepreneur from Koreanpur, Nepalgunj-12, has been making Jhilinga Roti specifically for Tihar for the past four years. 

According to Gurung, people in the city are so busy these days that many are unable to make traditional dishes at home. 

“Nowadays, everyone is busy with their office and other works, so there is an increasing demand for ready-made rotis during festivals,” she said. 

“We make organic rotis specifically for Tihar. Once a customer buys from us, they return every year to buy our products.”

Shweta makes the Jhilinga Roti at her home using only pure rice flour. “We don’t use refined flour, we make our rotis purely from rice flour. It’s healthier and tastes different,” she explained.

What started as a small business catering to the local population of Nepalgunj has now expanded, with her products reaching areas like Bardiya, Dang, and Surkhet. 

Gurung added, “We provide free home delivery service within Nepalgunj. Traders from other districts buy in bulk and sell in the retail market.”

Every year before Tihar, Shweta produces a large quantity of these rotis. In addition to catering to general customers, she also takes orders for weddings, rituals, and other social events. 

The retail price for one kilogram of Jhilinga Roti is set at Rs. 500, while the wholesale price is Rs. 400. 

Jhilinga Roti holds special significance in Nepali culture. In some regions, it is also known as Jhiniya or Sinkamari. During festivals, it is commonly used as a treat for guests and often serves as an alternative to sweets.

Shweta Gurung’s initiative as a female entrepreneur is not only contributing to the local economy but also helping to preserve traditional Nepali cuisine, making a significant impact on both women’s employment and cultural heritage.