LAKHA: MARI- A Traditional Newari sweet

Lakhamari is a traditional Nepali sweet that comes in different shapes and sizes. There is no actual reason behind why it is called a 'lakhamari'. However most usually believe that lakha means big and mari means sweets. So it means a huge sweet or roti that doesn’t easily get spoilt quickly.

Cultural use/ importance
Earlier people took these as saguns (auspicious gifts) and gifts. In the Newar community it was compulsory to include 'lakhamaris' in the marriage saguns. It doesn’t get spoiled and is usually used in every social function.  

"People usually imagine a long and round sweet when we talk of lakhamari but many don’t realize that there are so many different types of it based on shape and size because of which the purpose or use of the lakhamari differs too. For example; the bigger ones are taken during saguns whereas the smaller ones are usually used in pujas and that smallest ones are mostly for regular consumption."
Culturally and commercially it has been in use since a very long time there is no exact pointing as to when it began. However mode of production and distribution has changed. There were no supermarkets or department stores, for sales and distribution before but now it is being packaged and even exported to countries abroad.

"Nepali traditional foods need to be promoted too. They need to be provided with the opportunities and platforms to rise up too."