Sri Vaari Rice Mandi

Our mandi is situated on Ns Wala Road, right opposite the Octri Post in Bagha Purana. Sri Vaari Rice Mandi is basically a large open space where the trading happens. Being across from the Octri Post means we see all the trucks coming in and out of town. It’s a dusty spot, especially when the wind picks up on Ns Wala Road. We usually have piles of grain and sacks stacked up everywhere. The rhythm of the day is dictated by the arrivals. Some days are slow, and we just sit around and talk, while other days are so hectic we barely have time to eat. Bagha Purana is a small place, so the mandi is a bit of a hub for people. The building we use is old and has a tin roof that gets really hot in the summer. We have a small corner where we keep the ledgers and a couple of chairs for visitors. It’s not the kind of place where you’d find a computer or fancy furniture. It’s all very hands-on and practical. We’ve been at this location for years, and the routine hasn't changed much. You get used to the smell of the burlap and the sound of the grain being poured into heaps. It’s just how things are at the mandi. We keep it simple and just do the work that needs doing. Sometimes the work goes late into the night when the season is at its peak.