Mangamma Hotel

This is a small spot at H. No -3-144 in Ravirala. Being here in Nellikudur, things move at a slower pace than the big towns. We start early in the morning, usually before the sun is even up, to get the kitchen ready. The smell of the stove and the food starts filling up the rooms by six. It’s a simple house converted into a place where people can come and eat a meal. We don't have a big menu or anything like that, just whatever is fresh and being cooked that day. The tables are basic and we keep them wiped down, but they’ve seen a lot of use over the years. We see the same faces every day, mostly people from around Ravirala who don’t want to cook for themselves. It gets a bit crowded during the lunch hour, and the noise of plates and talking can get pretty loud. Then it goes quiet again in the afternoon when everyone goes back to work. We spend a lot of time cleaning up and getting things ready for the next day. It’s hard work being on your feet all day, and the heat from the kitchen can be a lot in the summer months. But it’s our daily life here. We just try to make sure there is enough for everyone who walks through the door. It isn't a fancy hotel, just a local place.