Nostalgic: Vidyarthi Bhavan Masala Dosa at Gandhi bazaar, Bangalore

Finding a car parking in gandhi bazaar is very challenging on a Saturday evening!! But I assumed, it will be more challenging to get a seat when i saw the mad rush outside the hotel. A gentleman was taking down the waiting list names and calling out the next in-line in kannada.

Saturday evening rush

"So much rush for a Dosa ?? Look at that board. 1943 ??" I thought. The place definitely looked old. As I stood outside, people were coming out of the hotel with a sigh of contentment radiating from their face. Happy foodie faces. Was eager to discover what this is about. It was already 20 mins since we waited and finally they called out our name. We gushed in J

Inside

Another inside pic

Note the pencil sketches

foodie fames:  Vishnuvardhan, Yediyurappa and SM Krishna

Menu as of Dec 2014

We were a bunch of four. As we went in, a supervisor guided us to the seat. I could see the menu hanging on the wall. Limited items. Lots of pencil drawn potraits of kannada literary gaints adorned the walls. And color photos of Vishnu sir and Yeddy as well, as I turned around my head. The place is well maintained, clean and decently lit. The servers were all clad in blue with a panche. There was noise. People anxiously waiting. Chit chatting. Ladies checking out other ladies. A mixture of people from all ages. Food seemed to be served in batches. There was already a scent of filter kaapi and ghee in the air. Someone hurriedly placed water cups on our table. And then waiter came to take the order.

“Sagu masala dose?” a favorite and we asked for same. Waiter replied that it is served only in the mornings. “Ivaga idly, vada, khara bath, dosa: masala/plain maatra” he added. So, we settled with “3 plate rava vade, 2 plain dose, 2 masala dose, 2 coffee, 2 tea”.

Rava Vada

The Rava vades are a must try. They serve as a appetizer until the dosa is served. It is a replica of Maddur vada, half bathed in Chutney. They were soft, not very crunchy and hot. Served in a small sized plate. We were hungry and devoured the same. There seems to be too much of chutney for the small vada. The chutney itself was unlike the regular. We felt the presence of gram flour in it.

Dosa stacked !!

10 mins later, we saw the waiters carrying the dosa out of the kitchen. There is a distinctive style in which they carry the same balancing it against one’s chest. Then our waiter served us with the dosa and continued for another three tables. The dosa was served in a plain plate.

First reaction: "how am I supposed to eat this ?. People were looking at each other !! Something seems to be missing. No sambar or chutney for the dosa? Did the waiter forget to serve the same? " As I was wandering in my thoughts, faraway, i saw the waiter had a utensil (with a stick hand), typically like the one used for making tadka. And he was generously pouring chutney in the plates !! You will not get sambar for your dosa here (not sure if they serve unless asked). We already had a plate full of chutney from the previously eaten vada and decided to use the same instead of wasting it.

Masala Dosa

The Masala Dosa is crisp, slightly thick and soft from inside with a good amount of well made bhaji in it. Already a small amount of oil had gathered at the plate bottom. Ghee was dripping out of it. When you take chutney along side, you fail to see it. As you take a bite, you will understand why it is so sought after. You have the “Melting” feeling in your mouth, seldom experienced. My taste buds seems to be dancing. The gluttonous heart in you will be craving for each bite whilst the health conscious head will be asking you to stop. And then you feel, its once a while that you eat such a awesome dosa. It is the taste that won for me. Definitely, the way to my heart was via my stomach J Visit and decide for yourself.

Half eaten with the bhaji

Check the ghee drippings !!

The coffee was ok in taste. Pricing seems to be moderately decent for the food you get. Service was good. During peak hours, you will spend around 20-40 mins. Say whatever, You have to taste the dosa here !! No second thoughts. This definitely is a breakfast place.

Vidyarthi Bhavan has its history. Since 1943, the board said. Gosh !!, even my dad was not born then :P Gandhi bazaar is one of oldest localities in Bangalore and amidst it stood many eateries. VB has stood the testimony of time. Its walls must have seen it all. The Urals and the Adigas have done a wonderful job. Being in business for 70+ years, the new generation can empathise here with old Bangalore. It was a meeting place for serious discussions, a light chat with friends and for a good time with family. There are memories captured here.

Each pencil sketch adorning the wall was done by VBs very own waiter Su. Vee. Murthy. Another interesting read is about Dr Raj’s visit to this place. I would request you to visit this hindu article here and know more about this place and its humble beginnings.

As we paid the bill, another set of people came and stood next to us. They were waiting for us to vacate the table. And we made our way out.

I have to admit it. It is not only about the dose. It is the place, the people, the humungous history, the overall experience. The foodie in you will sense happiness that lingers in the air. And that is what will make you visit this place many more times. Saw a grandfather quoting his stories, to his grandson about the place. Many families will find connection to the bangalorean roots here. It is reminiscent of taste of bygone Bengaluru, still available to be experienced. Nostalgic indeed !! Visit it for what it is..

Hosanadu Kodyadka Annapoorneshwari Temple and Attur church

DATE OF TRAVEL: 26 Dec 2014, Friday
MODE: Car (4+1)
ROUTE: Ex UDUPI

COST: Petrol for 110 kms, Free Lunch (anna prasadam) at temple, Tea at Manipal

ROUTE TAKEN:

Udupi – Katpadi – Shirva – (Belman – Mundkur – Sacharipete – Kodyadka)

(Kodyadka – Sacharipete - Mundkur – Belman) – Nitte – Doopdakatte –Attur

Attur – Gundyadka – Moodubelle – Manipal - Udupi

ROAD STATUS: As of 26 Dec 2014, Road is decent. The route has curves and bends and traces of forest. Road widening (supposed state highway) is under construction between Belman and Attur. The Attur to Udupi route is under construction and around 4 kms of road in total at different places is very bad, but motorable

DETAILS: 

It was Christmas evening. We were in hometown for long holidays. One of those days when we were at home in Udupi and had nothing to do. I was seeking ideas for places to visit nearby and mom suggested Kodyadka Temple. And then when I checked google maps, I added Attur church (And to drive across Nitte College) to the plan as my parents hadn’t seen the church. And that was the trip plan

It was a Friday. Since the temple is of Devi Annapoorneshwari, we decided to see the noon aarti and have the annaprasadam(lunch) at the temple itself.

We started at 11:30 am at Udupi towards Katpadi junction for Belman. From Belman, when you drive for 500 mts towards Padubidri, you find the Arch for Mundkur Durgaparameshwari temple on left. Take this route.

Deviation Arch at katpadi towards Belman

Diversion to Moodabidiri (kodyadka) after Mundkur

After Mundkur, this road continues to Kateel Temple. There is a diversion to Moodabidri on this route that goes via Kodyadka. (I would strongly suggest to start a bit early and see the enroute Mundkur durgaparameshwari temple as well)

The temple entrance

The Annapoorneshwari temple is also called as Hosanadu Kodyadka Kshetra. We reached there around 12:30 pm. Parked the vehicle inside the temple arch. Tempo Travellers and bigger vehicles have to park the vehicle outside the arch itself. There stood an elephant at the temple entrance. There was average rush although it was a Friday. The afternoon pooja time is mentioned as 12 pm, and the lunch hall timings are 1:30pm to 2:30 pm. The official site seems to be this 

Temple elephant

Mini zoo in the temple premises

Durga idol

Apsara and the rotating granite stone

Radhe Krishna

Temple garden

Hanuman Idol, 61 feet tall

The temple surroundings is very beautiful. It is huge and well maintained. What we observed as we reached the temple first was a gaint Hanuman statue. The mammoth is 61 feet tall opposite to car parking. There are stables for elephants and horses (although we did not see horses on that day). There is a small garden adjacent to the beautiful statues of goddess durga, apsara and Radha-Krishna. A rotating water stone structure is unique. Tattirayas/Gaarudi gombes were also present. There is a mini zoo that had a stag, some wild hen and rabbits, ducks etc. And some petty vendors selling books and house articles.

As one enters the temple, the Devi idol is inside the garbhagudi, which is followed by a hall and then the main entrance area. The temple complex has idols of various gods and goddesses. Photography is prohibited. Offerings/Kanike can be made in cash and kind. Directions are installed to put everything in the hundi itself and nothing to be offered to the priests. We went around the temple and there was a separate line for entering the area in front of garbhagudi. A priest segregated gents and ladies and sent us in for aarti. The goddess idol itself is huge. I am approximating 6 ft tall. Very beautiful and appeasing. The Friday alankara was mesmerizing. We then came out to take the teertha and out in the entrance area to see the afternoon mangalaarti. Devotees were already sitting in the hall for the aarti. As the aarti finished, we went to the lunch halls. There are two halls. We were served with a sumptuous anna prasadam that included Rice, pickles, sambar, rasam, buttermilk and payasam. It was indeed very filling. We came out and visited the mini zoo and rested in the surroundings. The ladies did some bangle purchasing

And then we decided to start towards Attur Church. Drove back to Belman and towards Karkala, across Nitte college. Shocking to see how much the area outside the college has changed. The road widening has changed the landscape. The familiar shops were still there. As we reached Doopadakatte, we see the entrance arch of the church on left hand side. From here, it is another 3.5 kms to the church. The road seemed the same as when we were in college :(

Inside of Attur church

Xmas hut

Attur Church Sideview

Attur Church Front view

Church along with parking

Monkeys in church vicinity

We were at the church a day after Christmas. Attur church has a interesting read behind how the one foot idol of Saint Lawrence was installed. There was a board depicting the same to the visitors, but seems to be not there any more. The story of pious St Lawrence and his sacrifices is worth reading here at the wiki site for attur church. This is one of the beautiful and huge churches you will see in this area. One of the interesting things to see is the big lens. The are two huge church halls and there is a big lens in the separation wall through which you can see the one foot idol from the entrance of the second hall. The outer second hall is normally closed during non prayer hours. Inside the church is a feeling so calm and appeasing. The radiating idol of the saint is pleasing to the eyes as the face is highlighted by a light projection. Many devotees were present and praying. One can buy candles from the Church store and light them. The miraculous pushkarni (water pond) is close by and people can visit the same.

The Annual festival of the church happens in last week of Jan month. It is worth visiting. The celebrations run day and night with huge number of visitors during this time. We took some photos in the vicinity of the same. Then we started back to Udupi via Manipal. The road next to church continues to meet the Udupi route.

Butterfly

There were around 6-8 peacocks in the field

On the way back, we saw a group of peacocks in a open field which was not so common sight. We stopped at Manipal for a tea break.

We reached home back in the evening. It was a nice drive and time well spent.

One day Architecture Inspired Ride around Bangalore

This was my first Lone Bike ride on September 22, 2010. The intention was to visit the less known hoysala architecture monuments/temple around Bangalore. For now, I am outlining the details for anyone who can take this route. I will try to fill in the other details sometime whenever possible

Places of Visit:

Gomateshwara Betta, Shravanabelgola
Shri Brahmeshwara Temple, Kikkeri
Shri Panchalingeshwara Temple, Govindana halli
Sri Lakshminarayanaswamy Temple, Hosaholalu
Yoga Narasimha Temple/Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple, Melukote
Kunti Betta, Pandavapura

Stats:

Distance: 510 Km in One Day
Mode: By Bike, All alone :o)
Cost: 10 liters of Petrol for my bike (Rs. 650) + Food (Rs. 300) + Willingness to Ride (Free)