Juju dhau generally means King of yogurts in Newari Language. Yogurt is known as Dahi in Nepali Language. In our Nepali tradition, yogurt carries a great significance of positivism and good luck. In Nepal, there is a  practice of offering sugar and yogurt before you leave home for your new project in the belief of conquering success in it. Juju Dhau is a special dessert which can only be found in Bhaktapur, Nepal. A visit to Bhaktapur is incomplete without tasting Juju Dhau.

Yogurt is a necessity in performing any Nepali culture and in newari feast. It is also one of the main ingredient used in the making of Panchamrit( five nectars of god). In the process of providing sagun( includes egg,bara,alcohol and yogurt) yogurt is a must inclusive ingredient. Dahi symbolizes the full moon, and provided in Sagun with the sense of blessing that you may be capable of removing darkness like full moon even in the night. We Nepalese also celebrate Dahi Chiura day at Asar 15 every year, which symbolizes the end of rice plantation and celebrates for good production.

Juju Dhau is immensely rich in taste and texture. You will experience mouthgasm inside your taste buds. Juju dhau was considered a delicacy since Malla era and it is still a popular one. No newari feast is complete without the creaminess of Juju Dhau.

Making of Juju Dhau

It is a tradition of making Juju dhau with buffalo milk. The milk is boiled, mixed with its special ingredients and poured into red clay pot. It is then placed to a warm area, on the floor of paddy husks, piled up with many other pots and wrapped in a thick cotton blankets to maintain a warm temperature. The reason behind setting it on a clay pot is to maintain a thick layer and creamy texture of the yogurt as the clay pot observes the excess liquid from the milk. Juju Dhau is only supplied from Bhaktapur in other markets.

Bhaktapur is one and only centre area for juju dhau, where it is traditionally sold on the roads by men carrying pots of juju dhau  in ‘kharpans’, a pair of carrying baskets slung over the shoulders by a pole.