Jyoti Group has its early roots in trading and began its operation with the trading activities of Bhajuratna Jyoti during the early part of the twentieth century.
During that time, Nepal was a trading hub for the Tibet and the trade items such as cloth, soap and toothpaste to bear bile, otter skin and herbs were carried through porters, horseback, mule and leather boats. Foreseeing the benefits in the business, Manisharsha Jyoti founded the trading company Syamukapu in 1920s. After this, Jyoti Group established its foothold in the trading business developing itself into a trading powerhouse. Established to take the advantage of the trading opportunities in the Tibet Region, Syamukapu, in Tibetan, means ‘white cap’ in reference to the white cap worn by Bhajuratna Jyoti.
1882
Bhaju Ratna was born in 1882 in Kathmandu. Son of Kulbir Singh and Nanibeti, he grew up in (Takha: Chhen), Kel Tol, close to Jana Baha Dyah. A trader and philanthropist, he laid the early foundation for what is today known as Jyoti Group. He also played a significant role in the revival of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal.
1898
Bhaju Ratna moved to Kalimpong to work at a relative’s shop in the family’s hereditary occupation of making bronze, brass and copper household utensils.
1903
Bhaju Ratna married his wife Gyan Maya Tamrakar
1904
Bhaju Ratna moved to Bombay to procure stock to start his first cloth shop in Kathmandu.
1921
Bhaju Ratna remarried and moved to Kalimpong, India in 1921 to start afresh as a seller of household utensils for export to Tibet. Kalimpong was then the start of the caravan route to Lhasa. As business grew, he brought over craftsmen from Kathmandu and established his own workshop.
Bhaju Ratna habitually wore a white cap, and Tibetan traders would often refer to him as Syamukapu, which means "white cap" in Tibetan. It would become the name of the business house he subsequently established in Kalimpong and Tibet.
The same name in Newari is translated to Syakar- the name of what would become one of the largest trading companies in Nepal and the sole authorized dealer of Honda vehicles in Nepal.
1930
Bhaju Ratna diversified into forwarding Lhasa-bound cargo for Lhasa Newar merchants based in the Tibetan capital. Later, he also procured the merchandise for them on commission basis, and dispatched them to Lhasa by mule caravan. By 1930, he had opened his own establishment in Tibet at Phari, which lies on the trade route to Lhasa.
1957
He passed away peacefully in his home in Kathmandu.
1961
Accelerating Nepal’s infrastructural growth and leading it into an era of sufficiency, Maniharsha Jyoti established the first Nepalese iron and steel factory, Himal Iron and Steel, in 1961, in the jungles of Parwanipur, Parsa. The same area today is a thriving industrial hub led by the Jyoti Group.
1964
In 1964, Bhajuratna Engineering and Sales Limited was established with the vision of improving the lives of the Nepalese people by providing quality products and services to the people living in the hills and plains of Nepal. It was established during the time when very few companies were willing to establish their venture out of the Kathmandu valley
1967
Jyoti Group begins importing Honda motorcycles.
1972
Nepal’s first gas plant, Himal Oxygen Private Limited was established in 1972 with the production of medical and industrial high purity Oxygen and Nitrogen in gas and liquid forms. At present, the factory has upgraded to producing 99.99% pure Oxygen and provides door to door delivery and after sales services.
1973
Padma Jyoti came back to Nepal after his Accelerator course at MIT and oversaw all operations at the Factory in Parwanipur
1973
Meera Jyoti played an active role in agriculture and social sectore for the staff in Parwanipur. She led social, health and education related activities for the staff and their family and continues to do so by organising annual day at Parwanipur and other places as well.
1976
The Syakar Company Limited was established which serves as the authorized distributor and retailer of Honda, Hero Honda and Philips in Nepal. Syakar Company began its operation with the distribution of Honda motorcycles.
1982
Established in 1982, Himal Wires Private Limited is a complement to Himal Steel products. Capable of manufacturing a wide range of wire products such as galvanized wires, barbed wires, binding wires, deformed wires and annealed wires, the factory has been helping in the development and growth of the country’s infrastructure.
1986
The Syakar Company begins distribution of Hero Honda motorcycles
1990
Established in 1990, Suruchi Travels and Tours Private Limited paved the way for Jyoti Group to enter into the booming tourism business of Nepal through travel related service.
1991
Bhajuratna Pharma Private Limited was established.
It began as a distributor of Sarabhai Chemicals, Baroda in 1991 and currently has its warehouse in Birgunj. It is also the authorized distributor and super stockist of pharmaceuticals products of Merck Limited, Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals (KAPL), Wockhardt Limited, Zydus A.H.D., Vetoquinol and Abbott.
1993
Maniharsha Jyoti passes away.
1994
Jyoti Yarn Processing was established in Parwanipur, Parsa which was setup to provide dyeing services for the spinning mills.
1996
Sagarmatha Insurance Company Limited was established in 1996 and has been promoted by the prominent entrepreneurs and leading industrial Group such as Salt Trading Corporation, Golchha Organization, Jyoti Group, MC Group, National Finance Company Limited, Nepal Construction and Engineering Corporation, Ceylinco insurance PLC (Sri-lanka) among others. Mr. Padma Jyoti has been a member of the Board of Directors for 2 decades.
2000
Saurabh Jyoti looked after trade of Phillips Sound and vision products, computer monitors, and mobile phones.
He also led the initiative for Jyoti Group to become a distributor for Unilever products from the UK through direct imports to become a distributor for products not manufactured in Nepal.
2000s
Saurabh Jyoti also looked after Himal Ceramics production tile factory in Panchkhaal until the area of bought by the Nepal army
2003
Saurabh Jyoti officially started overseeing the Honda automobile and motorbikes business along with selling it’s parts
2003
Suhrid Jyoti came back and started working at Bhaju Ratna Engineering (focused on tractors Tafe, trucks Ashok Leyland), welding rods (ESAB), and V-belts (Fenner), Himal Oxygen Production and distribution
2007/2008
Suhrid Jyoti also worked in the Motorcycle business Hero Honda and Honda until 2009
2010
Jyoti Group under Saurabh Jyoti and Suhrid Jyoti looked after Honda’s automobiles and bikes and products at Syakar Trading Company. Over the years, from being #3 in the market, it is #1 in terms of volume of sales and profitability (2021).
2012
Jay Spinning Mills was established (acquiring all assets of Jyoti Spinning Mills)
2012
Grande International Hospital (GIH) which started its operation since April 2012 at Dhapasi, Kathmandu, begins operations with the aim of meeting the demand for advanced medical treatment for general and speciality healthcare in Nepal. Jyoti Group has investment in the hospital.
2014
Mr Suhrid Jyoti established White Hat Company including Digital Marketing, Call center, Whitehat logistics for last mile delivery; Whitehat Photography and Events; and Whitehat Fitness.
2015
Srijana Jyoti led White Hat Digital Marketing.
2016
Jyoti Group acquires Sun International P. Ltd, the authorized distributor for Baskin Robbins Ice-Cream in Nepal.
2018
Through ventured partnerships, The Jyoti Group launches the Chhaya Devi Center, the home of the international boutique hotel chain, Aloft Hotels Kathmandu.
2020
Bhajuratna trading company established, Arati Jyoti started leading Philips lights Department.
2021
SJ Moto: Gallery, museum and cafe for motorcycle enthusiasts opens its doors to the public in Jyoti Bhawan.
2021
Invested in Media 9 company: WOW & Business360 monthly magazines
