Maa Saraswati Masala

If you walk toward the Taratarini Mandir in Brajrajnagar, you can usually smell the spices before you even see the sign for Maa Saraswati Masala. We are located in Hari Om Vihar, which is a fairly quiet residential pocket compared to the main roads. We started this because there was a need for real ingredients in the neighborhood. My family helps out with the grinding and the packing most days. The machines make a lot of noise, so we try to finish the heavy work before it gets too late in the evening. There is a lot of dust from the chilies and turmeric, so we always have to wear masks and keep the windows open. The shop isn't huge, but it's filled from floor to ceiling with bags of raw ingredients waiting to be processed. People from the nearby houses often just knock on the door instead of going to the big market. We spend a lot of time cleaning the equipment because the oils from the seeds get everywhere. It’s hard work on your hands and your back. Sometimes the heat in the summer makes it tough to stay inside with the grinders running, but we take breaks. We don't have a big staff, just a few of us making sure everything is weighed right and put into the bags. It is a simple life and we are happy to be near the temple. We often have to wait for the rain to stop before we can move the bigger bags out.