Shree Satyanarayan Masala

Our place is at Bharat Chowk, occupying plots 492 and 493. If you walk by, you’ll probably smell us before you see the sign. The scent of ground spices is everywhere, and it sticks to your clothes by the end of the day. Some days it makes everyone sneeze, especially when the chilies are being processed. It’s a lot of work keeping up with the grinding and the packaging. We have been here for a good while, and most of the people in the chowk know who we are. The floors are always a bit stained from the turmeric, no matter how much we sweep. It is a family-run kind of atmosphere, even if we are a proper business on paper. We don't spend money on fancy advertisements or shiny brochures. We just put the masala in bags and get it out to the shops. The machines are old but they still run fine if you know how to talk to them. Sometimes the rain leaks a little near the back door, so we have to move the sacks around. It’s just how things are. We work long hours when the season is busy. Our hands are usually stained orange or red, but that’s part of the job. We aren't trying to change the world, just making sure people have their spices for dinner.