Back home, back in business: Taksar reawakens

BHOJPUR: Twelve years ago, Sujan Udas left the historic town of Taksar in search of better opportunities in Kathmandu. Like many young people from rural Nepal, he believed his future lay elsewhere.

Today, however, he has returned to his hometown—not as a migrant worker, but as an entrepreneur helping breathe new life into a once-declining marketplace.

After spending more than a decade in the capital, Udas returned to Bhojpur and established “Taksar Newa Ghasa”, a restaurant specializing in traditional Newar cuisine in Taksar, Ward No. 12 of Bhojpur Municipality.

The venture has quickly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking authentic local flavors.

“I did not see much potential here when I left,” Udas said. “But over the past few years, I noticed a growing flow of tourists and realized that meaningful opportunities could be created in our own community. Returning home is a decision I do not regret.”

His return represents more than the launch of a business. It reflects a broader trend of locals investing back into their hometowns, contributing to the revival of Taksar, a settlement that had gradually lost much of its vibrancy due to migration and economic decline.

Once renowned as a center for the production of Nepal’s historic ‘Doli Paisa’ currency, Taksar suffered from decades of outmigration. Many of its distinctive Newar-style houses fell into disrepair, while commercial activity steadily diminished.

In recent years, however, increasing domestic tourism has sparked renewed interest in the area. Visitors are drawn by Taksar’s rich cultural heritage, traditional Newar lifestyle, unique cuisine, and well-preserved historic settlement.

According to local resident Bimal Ranpaheli, Udas is not alone in returning home. Several former residents who had moved away in search of opportunities are now investing in local businesses.

“The market was gradually becoming deserted,” Ranpaheli said. “Now, some of those who left are returning and starting businesses. It has brought new optimism. The government should create a supportive environment that encourages more people to return and invest in their hometowns.”

Locals believe the growing tourism sector could help stimulate the local economy while preserving Taksar’s cultural identity.

Udas said his goal is not only to run a successful business but also to contribute, however modestly, to the local economy.

“There is a special satisfaction in working in your own community,” he said. “If I can help preserve Taksar’s identity while creating opportunities here, that will be my greatest achievement.”

A Historic Town with Deep Cultural Roots

Taksar traces its origins to 1872 BS during the reign of King Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah and is often referred to as “Mini Patan” because of its strong Newar heritage and architectural similarities to the historic city of Patan in Lalitpur.

Newar settlers who migrated from Patan brought with them their language, religion, traditions, and cultural practices. The town is also home to Nepal’s first Shakyamuni Buddhist Monastery, established in 1993 BS.

During the Rana era, when Doli Paisa coins were minted in Taksar, the area became a hub for the construction of temples, monasteries, stupas, stone water spouts, rest houses, and religious sculptures.

Today, new hotels, restaurants, cafes, and cultural initiatives are emerging alongside these historic landmarks, creating fresh opportunities for tourism and local enterprise.

Local resident Kishor Kumar Tamrakar believes that with proper conservation of its heritage and stronger integration of tourism and entrepreneurship, Taksar has the potential to re-establish itself as one of eastern Nepal’s most attractive cultural tourism destinations.