Jay Mahakali Tea Stall

Jay Mahakali Tea Stall is right at Shop No 1 in the Ankur Complex. Being on the Ankur Cross Road in Naranpura means there is never a quiet moment. I start the stove long before the sun is even up. By the time the first buses start rolling past, the milk is already boiling. The stall is small, so everything has to be within arm's reach. I’ve got the tea leaves, the sugar, and the ginger all lined up on the counter. People stop their scooters right at the corner and run over for a quick cup. It gets really crowded around mid-morning when the offices in the complex start opening up. We use a lot of glass cups, so there is always the sound of them clinking in the wash bucket. It's a simple life, just making tea and watching the people go by. Sometimes the rain splashes under the awning and we all have to huddle inside a bit more. I don't have a big menu, just the basic tea that everyone likes. The floor gets a bit muddy when it’s wet outside, but we just throw down some cardboard and keep going. It’s a noisy spot with all the traffic at the crossroad, but I like being in the middle of it all. You meet everyone from the neighborhood here eventually. There isn't much to it, just hot tea and a bit of conversation.