Hah!!...the most common lunch or eat out in the city must definitely be the darshini's.You cant miss them,,they are all over the place..Whoever said Indians are not very innovative,can take a walk,coz this is fast food..our style:)..
Here is an article posted on Discover Bangalore.com worth reading.
"It's like the Starbucks or the McDonalds of America or the Tim Hortons of Canada. The Darshinis of Bangalore have come to stay. The fast food outlets dishing out hot crunchy Masala Dose, soft idlis, crispy Vade and hot piping coffee are all over Bangalore now. Bangalore literally has thousands of Darshinis under several individual managements serving south Indian vegetarian food. They usually are identified with small round steel tables and diners standing around them eating Dosas, idlis, vada's, curd rice, Vegetable Pulao, rice with sambar, lemon rice, Bisibele bath, Uppittu, kesaribaath and coffee.
The low-cost and "on the go" breakfast and lunch are a big hit among all class of people and it is hard to find any good quality Darshini that is not overcrowded by the day.
It is well known that the Darshini culture was introduced by one Mr. Prabhakar in 1983. Inspired by the fast food chains abroad, he started the first darshini called 'Cafe Darshini' in Jayanagar. The success of Café Darshini saw the proliferation of several darshinis and the many existing coffee bars renaming themselves into some Darshini. Wikepedia calls Mr. R.Prabhakar as Darshini Brahma , since he started the concept of Darshini and made the cost of food afordable to the General public. It is learnt that there are over 5000 Darshini's in the city itself. There are several Darshinis which have maintained a good quality of food using fresh and quality ingredients. Some of the well known Darshinis are Upahara Darshini in Netkalappa Circle Basavanagudi, Ganesh Darshini in Jayanagar, Palahara Darshini.
While most of the Darshinis serve only south Indian vegetarian food, some metamorphosed Chinese food to suit the Indian palate by introducing everything from the original gobi to the latest mixed-vegetable Manchurian, and even they have thrived. One wonders whether it is the name "Darshini" that brings success or the food they serve. Even the entry of multinationals like McDonalds, KFC or Pizza Hut has not been able to shake the popularity of the Darshinis.
The secret for the success of the Darshinis is the quick tasty bite one gets which is also easy on their wallet. Darshinis also have become popular hangout joints for office goers, college students or for that matter to anyone for a quick bite and a hot cup of Coffee and gossip.
Some of the these fast food joints adhere to strict guidelines from the BMP like the staff wearing head gear and aprons and the hotel cooks wearing caps. Darshinis have also been instructed to install ultraviolet water filters with Bureau of Indian Standards seals, to supply drinking water for their customers. Their Kitchens are to be cleaned with lime wash and colour wash every three months and the process is to be recorded in the inspection book. The guidelines also stipulate that garbage should be stored in a covered dustbin while the vegetables, grains and other provisions as well as the prepared food, should be separately stored. The note adds that tables and chairs in these eateries and hotels should be kept scrupulously clean. Thus one can eat in peace at these darshinis without the fear of unhygienic food or unclean premises.
The next time you visit Bangalore, give your epicurean taste buds a treat at one of the popular Darshini's and you would never be eating the south Indian vegetarian dishes anywhere else.
Long live the Darshini Culture that has vowed to feed the average man with tasty food without pinching his pocket much. And the credit goes to Bangalore as no other city in India has popularized this model."
Other recommended articles :
1) The Hindu -Hey dude, let's do a darshini
2) Metroblogging,Bangalore: Darshini's and Bangalore
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Gandhi near my house
I have lived my entire life near Golf course and Race Course in Blore(hehe,,cant specify more than this).But little did I know that Gandhi visited the Kumara Krupa Guest house which is a stone's throw away from my house.Hmmm,why didnt it strike me earlier when "the Gandhi Bhavan" is just near it?
"Source: The Hindu
Date:Friday, Oct 01, 2004
FROM TIME immemorial, some rocks have been sanctified and recognised as `Divine,' bestowing peace and happiness to mankind. In the Ramayana, after the abduction of Sita, Rama and his brother Lakshmana went in search of her. Just before reaching Kishkinta in the Southern region, he came across a small black granite rock and rested on it for a while. Touching the rock, he blessed it saying it may be worshipped for 700 years in Kali Yuga, bestowing mankind with all boons. Sri Raghavendra Swamy decided to enter Brindavan alive at Manthralaya in 1671 AD. Dewan Venkanna made all arrangements for the function and a beautiful Brindavan consisting of stone slabs were chiselled out. Sri Raghavendra Swamy rejected the exquisitely carved stones. He told Dewan Venkanna and others to proceed to a particular spot, locate a black granite rock on which Sri Rama had sat for sometime.
Accordingly, the rock was located and stone slabs were made out of it for constructing a Brindavan for Sri Raghavendra Swamy. A few remaining slabs were utilised for installing a Brindavan in Balepet, Bangalore, which is the third one, after Honnali in Shimoga district of Karnataka.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Bangalore during the early 1930s in winter and stayed at the Kumara Park Guest House, now named as `Kumara Krupa.' I was a child of about seven years then. It was a Monday, when he observed silence. A prayer meeting was arranged in the evening, on the lawn of the Guest House, which was attended by about 300 specially invited persons. I accompanied by parents, who were close relatives of the then State Congress Secretary.
At 6 p.m. sharp, Bapuji came to the lawn and sat on a small rock, under a large century-old peepul tree. With crossed legs and hands resting on them, he was in a deep meditative posture. Devotional music programme by a reputed party was conducted for about a couple of hours, after which we all prostrated before Gandhiji and received his blessings.
A staunch worshipper of Sri Rama, sitting on the rock of the Guest House, Gandhiji gave it a halo by chanting the Lord's name incessantly, like Swami Vivekananda, who gave a touch of sanctity to the famous rock near Kanyakumari. Like the world famous `Vivekanandha Rock Memorial,' it is my suggestion and fervent appeal that the Holy rock at `Kumara Krupa' may be named `Gandhi Memorial Rock.'
Recently I visited Kumara Park Guest House, Bangalore, and saw the holy rock in the midst of wild shrubs. The century-old peepul tree had been mercilessly axed and the large base was still visible near the rock, just above the ground. The beautiful green lawn has turned into a dry brown patch.
It is suggested that a life size statue of Gandhiji in a sitting and meditative posture may be installed on the rock, with hexagonal enclosures and a tower of peace, including a mini prayer hall.
The Kumara Park Guest House may be named as `Gandhi Krupa,' housing the exhibits of Bapuji's life, works and his monumental services to the nation. Perhaps, from this holy centre, his dream of `Rama Rajya' will soon materialise. "
"Source: The Hindu
Date:Friday, Oct 01, 2004
FROM TIME immemorial, some rocks have been sanctified and recognised as `Divine,' bestowing peace and happiness to mankind. In the Ramayana, after the abduction of Sita, Rama and his brother Lakshmana went in search of her. Just before reaching Kishkinta in the Southern region, he came across a small black granite rock and rested on it for a while. Touching the rock, he blessed it saying it may be worshipped for 700 years in Kali Yuga, bestowing mankind with all boons. Sri Raghavendra Swamy decided to enter Brindavan alive at Manthralaya in 1671 AD. Dewan Venkanna made all arrangements for the function and a beautiful Brindavan consisting of stone slabs were chiselled out. Sri Raghavendra Swamy rejected the exquisitely carved stones. He told Dewan Venkanna and others to proceed to a particular spot, locate a black granite rock on which Sri Rama had sat for sometime.
Accordingly, the rock was located and stone slabs were made out of it for constructing a Brindavan for Sri Raghavendra Swamy. A few remaining slabs were utilised for installing a Brindavan in Balepet, Bangalore, which is the third one, after Honnali in Shimoga district of Karnataka.
Mahatma Gandhi visited Bangalore during the early 1930s in winter and stayed at the Kumara Park Guest House, now named as `Kumara Krupa.' I was a child of about seven years then. It was a Monday, when he observed silence. A prayer meeting was arranged in the evening, on the lawn of the Guest House, which was attended by about 300 specially invited persons. I accompanied by parents, who were close relatives of the then State Congress Secretary.
At 6 p.m. sharp, Bapuji came to the lawn and sat on a small rock, under a large century-old peepul tree. With crossed legs and hands resting on them, he was in a deep meditative posture. Devotional music programme by a reputed party was conducted for about a couple of hours, after which we all prostrated before Gandhiji and received his blessings.
A staunch worshipper of Sri Rama, sitting on the rock of the Guest House, Gandhiji gave it a halo by chanting the Lord's name incessantly, like Swami Vivekananda, who gave a touch of sanctity to the famous rock near Kanyakumari. Like the world famous `Vivekanandha Rock Memorial,' it is my suggestion and fervent appeal that the Holy rock at `Kumara Krupa' may be named `Gandhi Memorial Rock.'
Recently I visited Kumara Park Guest House, Bangalore, and saw the holy rock in the midst of wild shrubs. The century-old peepul tree had been mercilessly axed and the large base was still visible near the rock, just above the ground. The beautiful green lawn has turned into a dry brown patch.
It is suggested that a life size statue of Gandhiji in a sitting and meditative posture may be installed on the rock, with hexagonal enclosures and a tower of peace, including a mini prayer hall.
The Kumara Park Guest House may be named as `Gandhi Krupa,' housing the exhibits of Bapuji's life, works and his monumental services to the nation. Perhaps, from this holy centre, his dream of `Rama Rajya' will soon materialise. "
The Hotel Grand Ashok which is next door to the Kumara Krupa Guest house strangely claims the same in their website:
"Besides its fabulous location, the hotel is well known for its creative dining
options & the city's largest banquet facilities.
Interestingly within the hotel's landscaped gardens is the historical landmark,
where Mahatma Gandhi gave public audience, during the country's preindependence
days."
Here are some recent snaps I clicked of the rock.Unfortunately,I am not very sure if this is the right one as no one at the guest house had a clue of what I was looking for.They are however the only rocks I found in the entire campus.
More on Gandhi Bhavan which is on the same road as Kumara Krupa Guest House and Hotel Grand Ashok:
Gandhi Bhavan of Bangalore is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. The Bhavan was set up with the intention of promoting the life and teachings of Gandhiji. Situated on the Kumara Krupa Road, Gandhi Bhawan was started as Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (GSN), under the chairmanship of Dr Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The main attraction of the Gandhi Bhawan consists in a comprehensive picture gallery, displaying the entire life of Mahatma Gandhi.The gallery has photographs of Mahatma Gandhi, from early childhood to the last day of his life. Apart from that, there are also Photostat copies of the letters written by him to the various personalities of his time. One can also see placards with the famous quotes of Gandhiji, hanging on the walls of the Bhavan. Today, the Gandhi Bhavan of Bangalore serves as the venue for public meetings organized on Gandhian values.
Location: Kumara Krupa Road
Main Attractions:Picture gallery of Gandhiji
Timings: 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Lunch Break - 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.)
Closed on: Sundays/General Holidays
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