Rajan Misthan Bhandar

At Fatehpura Bedla Road 12, we’ve been running Rajan Misthan Bhandar for quite some time. The mornings are the busiest part of the day. We get the fresh cottage cheese delivered and start making the sweets right away. The kitchen is in the back and it’s always full of steam. I usually have a towel around my neck to wipe the sweat. We make the traditional stuff that people in the neighborhood expect. The counter is made of old wood and it’s been worn smooth over the years. We don't use much fancy equipment, mostly just big ladles and heavy pans. Sometimes the sweets don't turn out perfectly round, but they are fresh. People stop by on their way to work to pick up a box for their office. The traffic on Bedla Road is constant, and sometimes it’s hard for customers to find a place to park their bikes. We have a small bench outside where older men sit and talk for hours. I don't mind it as long as they don't block the door. We close up when the trays are empty, which is usually around eight or nine. It’s a long day on our feet. The floor is made of grey stone and it’s hard on the knees after a while. I forgot to order more cardamom yesterday so I’ll have to go later.