LALITPUR: The ancient settlement of Khokana in Lalitpur is better known for producing pure mustard oil in the country.

At the mention of Khokana, many people even today recall the super quality and aroma of pure mustard oil.

Locals say that the identity of Khokana has been preserved as the wooden oil mill (kol) with a history of about 300 years is still operating here.

The historic ‘Gabu Jya: Sa’ oil mill located in Khokana, Lalitpur Metropolitan City–21 is still in operation. Kanchha Maharjan is credited with continuing the operation of this 300-year-old wooden mill.

According to him, the pure mustard oil produced from this traditional wooden mill is supplied in the domestic market as well as abroad.

During the Malla period (1200-1769 CE), there were four historic wooden oil mills in Khokana. Over time, three of them closed, but one mill has kept the old tradition alive.

The Lalitpur Metropolitan City has taken initiatives to reopen the remaining three historical mills and it has taken forward the process for constructing the buildings for operating the traditional oil mills.

Maharjan said that even foreign visitors come to observe the historic oil mill and for purchasing the pure mustard oil produced here.

Anyone entering Khokana can see signboards of modern oil mills operated by young entrepreneurs. According to Pabitra Kumar Dangol, the proprietor of Khanomi Oil Mill, there are currently 10 to 15 oil mills operating in Khokna.

He said that although mustard oil used to be produced from community-operated wooden mills in the past, nowadays most entrepreneurs have started using modern mills due to high costs and the need for more manpower for operating the traditional mills.

Previously, the locals of Khokana used to produce mustard themselves, but now mustard farming has decreased.

According to Dangol, the Khokana residents used to travel to Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Makawanpur, and Nuwakot to exchange oil and mustard.

However, he informed that nowadays, since the mustard produced in Nepal cannot meet the market demand, oil is being produced by importing mustard from India and Ukraine.

Historically known for mustard cultivation and manufacturing pure mustard oil, Khokana is still popular in the market today for the same reason.

Locals believe that the coexistence of modern technology and traditional wooden oil pressing mills is keeping alive the legacy of Khokana till date.