Makar Sankranti: Samastipur's Dussehra Village Thrives on Traditional Tilwa

• Dussehra village in Samastipur's Mohanpur block is renowned for its traditional Tilwa, a sweet made from sesame and sugar.
• Making Tilwa is an ancestral family business, with multiple families involved in its production for generations.
• The traditional process involves cooking sugar into 'paagh', cooling it on stone, kneading, cutting, and coating with roasted sesame seeds.
• Work intensifies from January 1st to 13th, leading up to Makar Sankranti on January 14th.
• Tilwa sells for approximately 80 rupees per kilogram, with over two quintals sold daily, supporting many families' livelihoods.

Why It Matters: Dussehra village's traditional Tilwa business not only preserves culture but also provides significant livelihood.