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Copper pot stills Amrut factory

Amrut Distilleries factory tour (with Vir Sanghvi)

Date: February 12, 2014

I was invited to visit the Amrut Distilleries factory on Mysore Road, just outside of Bangalore city. I was going to get to see the manufacturing process for making the famed Amrut whisky — with a special guest in tow. Noted journalist, writer and TV personality Vir Sanghvi was going to drop by the factory for a tour.

Amrut whisky display Bangalore
The award-winning Amrut whisky range
Barley peat for whisky
Barley to the left, peat to the right
Amrut distillery office awards display
We were waiting for Vir Sanghvi to arrive
Amrut awards Jagdale old photo
Gave me enough time to check out the awards and the history of the company Shri Radhakrishna Jagdale founded
Amrut distillery test lab Bangalore
This is the lab where they sample and test whiskies — Amrut’s own production batches and the competition
Jagdale gifting flowers to Vir Sanghvi
Vir Sanghvi had arrived, and so had the present chairman of Amrut Distilleries, Mr. Neelakanta Rao Jagdale. After a formal greeting, the Amrut team led us all to the factory.
Amrut factory tour with Vir Sanghvi
Senior VP Surrinder Kumar led the factory tour

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Feasting on Ramadan food treats at Mosque Road, Bangalore

Every year, during the holy month of Ramadan, Mosque Road in Frazer Town converts into a major hub for food lovers. Several stalls are set up selling a variety of Iftar treats by the road side, and every year, the number of stalls just keep getting bigger and bigger.

Now, you don’t have to go to Frazer Town for Iftar treats as stalls are set up outside every major mosque in Bangalore during the holy month of Ramadan. But Mosque Road being what it is attracts are a larger number of people. I have been Mosque Road with friends in previous years, but this year I wanted to capture some photos for my blog.

After meeting up with a friend, we rode down to Frazer Town, parked my bike near Savoury Restaurant and walked up to Mosque Road.

Ramzan food stall Frazer Town Bangalore
Stalls were set up away from Mosque Road too
Heritage hotel Ramadhan stall Bangalore
Heads up: a lot of meat in this blog post
Mutton kheema egg fry Ramadan food India
Mutton kheema and stir fried egg next to it
Free Quran distribution Bangalore India
This was an organization handing out free copies of the Quran (in English). I asked for a copy as I have always wanted to read for myself what was myth and what is actually quoted in the Holy Book.
Sheek kebabs Ramadan Frazer town
I moved to Mosque Road where sheek kebabs were being cooked over charcoal. Beef, chicken, and of course mutton were on offer.
Brazil beef kebabs Bangalore India
This stall was selling Brazilian beef. When I asked the guy why he wasn’t selling Indian beef, the owner just shrugged and said this “tastes better”. Oh well, I know why. None the less, I packed some.
Fried beef chicken kebabs Bangalore
Beef and colourful chicken kebabs beside it. Really put off by the use of food colour in meat.
Idiyappam Mosque Road Iftar Bangalore
Idiyappams and chicken kebabs?
Beef sukka Frazer town Banglaore
Beef sukka. Sampled some and it tasted okay.
Biriyani Palace Eid stall Bangalore
We then crossed over to the other side where much of the big stalls on Mosque Road were
Pathar gosht stone mutton Bangalore
That’s mutton being cooked on a huge slab or stone over a charcoal fire 🙂 They call it pathar gosht (pathar = stone; gosht = mutton)
Ramazan tent Iftar Mosque Road Bangalore
There were many of these food tents set up beside Mosque Road
Ramadan food tent Bangalore India
It was crowded!
Mutton haleem Bangalore India
Mutton haleem. Haleem, for the uninitiated, is a thick gravy like dish made using wheat, barley, lentils and meat (plus spices).
Ramazan food tent Mosque road Bangalore
I don’t think I could have even stood here and ate something. Too stuffy and way too many people passing through.
Iftar sweets Bangalore India
Lots of sweets on offer!
Fish chicken kadi Eid food
There wasn’t a whole lot of sea food available and given the ‘Bangalore premium’ for seafood, whatever that was on offer was kinda expensive.
Mosque road Ramadan stalls Bangalore
There were many more stalls alongside Mosque Road
Ramzan tent Frazer town Bangalore
We went in here next
Chicken samosas Eid food Bangalore
Chicken samosas, chicken fry, chicken kebabs, chicken this, chicken that…
Pathar gosht beef Frazer town
More beef and mutton grilled on stone
Dry fruit firny Shahi tukda dessert
Packed up some firny (sweet)
Chocolate cupcakes Karachi haleem
And picked up some chocolate cupcakes
Pudding gulab jamun sweets Iftar
I had some pudding next, which was yum!
Mosque road Ramadan night Bangalore
Even though much of the activity was on the right side, I crossed the road to check out what was on offer on the other lane on Mosque Road
Muslims sheek kebabs Bangalore India
Much of the same, albeit far less glamourous that’s all
Iftar sweets Frazer town Bangalore
There weren’t too many different varieties of food on offer this side

After packing up some more food, I left Mosque Road. It’s obvious the annual Ramadan treats have grown into a big business opportunity for vendors over these past few years. It wasn’t this crowded when I visited 2 years ago. People of all faiths turn up to try out the food. Of course there were a few ignorant people. One guy was silly enough to ask if pork was available! 😛

Also, the prices this year weren’t low by any street food means. A plate of pathar gosht was sold for Rs. 200, and the quantity was only good enough for just one person. A stick of just three chicken-cheese balls cost Rs. 50. Don’t even ask about the sea food prices.

Still, if you have an opportunity to check out the fare on Mosque Road, do so if you have never visited the stretch during Ramzan before. And do it before Eid. Happy feasting!


Pyramid valley design

Day trip to Pyramid Valley meditation center

Date: 21 April 2014

On a Monday morning, I joined my cousin brother and his family on short day-trip to a place called Pyramid Valley International, just off Kanakapura Road.

Kanakapura road Bangalore drive
Pyramid Valley is around 27 kms from the METRO Cash & Carry store on Kanakapura Road.
Mithun Jithin family GoPro
Even though I was primarily using my phone to shoot photographs, I carried my GoPro with me to take some photos too
Way to Pyramid Valley Kanakpura road
The drive barely took an hour

You have to get off Kanakapura Road when you see the sign pointing left to where Pyramid Valley International is located. Once you get on to the small road, it’s pretty bad. You pass through a village with poor roads before you reach the gates at Pyramid Valley.

There is an open ground for parking and there is no fee for the same. We parked under a big tree as it was quite sunny.

Pyramid Valley map Bangalore
Like many spiritual centers in India, they are spread across many acres

Pyramid Valley International claims to be a “new age meditation” and “spiritual science” center (if there ever is such a thing as spiritual science).

Mahatma Gandhi statue Pyramid valley
Much of the space inside looks like there is still a lot of work to be done

But why is it called Pyramid Valley? Continue reading “Day trip to Pyramid Valley meditation center” »

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