Commercialisation of traditional Tharu delicacy dhikri in western Tarai

Dhikri is a traditional food item crafted from rice flour and holds deep cultural significance for the Tharu community across the western Tarai districts. According to central secretariat member Bhuwan Chaudhary, the dish is prepared in various shapes depending on local traditions and specific occasions. Because rice serves as the primary staple in grain-producing plains, communities developed the skill to mill rice into flour for diverse culinary preparations, making dhikri a unique representation of this heritage. The traditional food is not only consumed during regular meals or as a snack, but it also serves as a gesture of hospitality for visitors and as an offering during religious and cultural rituals. Bhuwan Chaudhary stated that the item has remained connected to agriculture, domestic food processing and collective lifestyles from historical times to the present day. While women historically held the responsibility of making the item and passing the culinary skill down through generations, younger generations and male members now also prepare it. Festivals such as Maghi, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath prominently feature the delicacy, with Maghi celebrations involving family gatherings, gift exchanges and shared meals alongside the food. Hotel business operator Tulsi Chaudhary pointed out that the preparation has expanded beyond household confines into commercial establishments. The dish relies on traditional steaming equipment and cloth during the cooking process, maintaining its authentic preparation methods while adapting to contemporary commercial settings across the Tarai.