Shrinath Achar Bhandar

Being at 181 Raja Park near Parnami Mandir means we see a lot of people. The smell of oil and mustard seeds is always hanging in the air here at Shrinath Achar Bhandar. We have rows and rows of glass jars filled with pickles. Mango, lime, chili, and all the usual stuff you find in an Indian kitchen. We spend most of our time sorting through raw vegetables and mixing the spices. It is a messy job and my hands always smell like turmeric. The shop is small and the shelves are wooden. People stop by after visiting the mandir to pick up a jar or two for their lunch. We don't use any big machines or fancy packaging. It is all done by hand in the back area. Sometimes the weather affects how the pickles cure so we have to watch the jars closely. The sunlight comes in through the front window in the morning and hits the jars. It looks nice but we have to keep things cool. We use a lot of salt and oil to keep things fresh. My grandfather started this and we haven't changed the way we make things much. It is just honest work and we like seeing the same faces every week. The jars are heavy so we help people carry them to their cars or scooters. It is a busy life here in Raja Park and we are just glad to be a part of it and keep the tradition going.