Shri Ganpati Bistar Bhandar

Down in Bhatiyani Chohata, inside Laxmi Ji Ki Gali, that is where you will find us. It’s a narrow lane, and it can be a bit of a squeeze when the delivery rickshaws come through. We deal with all kinds of bedding here. We have mattresses, quilts, and pillows stacked up high. Most people call us the Bistar Bhandar because that is what we do. The shop smells a bit like cotton and new fabric all the time. It is a quiet place compared to the main road, but we stay busy. People come to us when they are getting married or when they have guests staying over and need extra sets of bedding. We make sure the cotton is filled right. Sometimes we sit on the floor to show the different materials to the aunties who come in groups. They like to touch the fabric and check the stitching themselves. We don't mind. It’s part of the day. The lane gets a bit dark in the evenings, but we keep our door open until late. My father used to sit in this same spot, and now I handle most of it with one or two helpers. We don't have a computer for everything; we still write things down in the big registers. It works for us. If you walk past the temple and take the turn, you'll see the stacks of colorful mattresses outside. That’s our place.