The story
Chikki-making in Lonavala began in the late 1800s, when sweets of jaggery and groundnut were sold to workers building the railway over the Bor Ghat. Shops near the station and on the old Mumbai–Pune highway turned it into a famous travel snack. Many family brands now sell dozens of chikki types, and 'Chikki of Lonavala' is a registered GI.
In numbers
'Chikki of Lonavala' is a registered GI (Application No. 948, filed 29-08-2022); the applicant is the Chikki of Lonavala Association.
GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 948, Chikki of Lonavala
GI tag
- Chikki of LonavalaApplication no. GI Application No. 948GI Registry (IP India) – Application No. 948, Chikki of Lonavala
Ways in for a newcomer
- Hygienic, automated chikki lines with longer shelf life
- Online and highway-outlet sales of GI-tagged chikki
- Low-sugar, millet and protein chikki variants
- Packaging and gift-box supply
Problems the cluster faces
- Many look-alike brands near the highway
- Jaggery and groundnut price swings
- Short shelf life in the monsoon
- Traffic moving to the expressway, away from town shops
Businesses to start here
Chikki (Peanut Brittle) Making →Gajak (Til-Gur Sweet) →Jaggery (Gur) Making →