Shree Balaji Masala

We’ve got our little setup for Shree Balaji Masala right in the heart of the Bhaji Mandai area in Yerwada, specifically at S No 191 near Nagpur Chawl. The air around our shop is always thick with the scent of turmeric, chili, and coriander. We spend our days grinding spices and weighing them out into small bags for the people who come to the market. It’s a dusty job, and we all end up sneezing a lot, but it’s what we do. The Bhaji Mandai is a loud and chaotic place, which is exactly where a spice shop belongs. People are always haggling over vegetables nearby, and that energy keeps us going. We aren't some big factory; it’s just a few old grinders and some wooden bins full of whole spices. My brother and I took over the place from our father, and we haven't changed much since then. We don't believe in adding anything extra to the powders, just the pure spices as they are. Sometimes the machines break down and we have to fix them ourselves, which can be a real headache. But we manage to keep things moving. We know the regulars who come in every month for their supply. It’s a simple life, filled with colors and strong smells, and we wouldn't really know what else to do with ourselves if we weren't here. It's just us and the spices.