Sangli – a word so close to my heart. From a third person point of view it’s just a small town which is famous for its Ganesh Temple. But for me it’s a place full of childhood, college memories, friendship, crush, love everything.
Whenever I enter the city it envelopes me in its warmth. There is something in the atmosphere, I feel relaxed … I feel like I am home, I even occasionally smile at unknown faces and receive the same warmness back.
Even the food here makes me nostalgic and there are 2 prominent places that I want to mention. If you ever go to my hometown – Sangli , you should visit these places… Promise?
But before starting a bow to Ganpati Bappa…
- Sambha Bhel
Bhel is something like a staple food in Maharashtra. But surprisingly each and every city adds its own flavour and makes it unique. So I have been in Pune for 8+ years but there has not been a single Bhel centre that has given me the flavour of Sambha Bhel. The Tamarind water is little tangier, the Murmura (Rice flakes) is fresh and crunchy; the Sev is again fresh and crunchy. Together they make up a unique burst of sweet, sour and spicy flavour which is so very unique to Sangli. And with that comes all the childhood memories of coming here with Mom and Dad, arguing for having one more Puri, or feasting on the Sev-Chirmuri that’s given complementary.
- ND’s Cold drink house
ND’s takes me back to my early teen memories. The name itself was so fancy that we use to brag about going to this place. They serve one of the best Orange Soda, Masala Thumsup but the king of all is their flagship drink…. Dudh Cold Drink (Milk Shake). It’s a very simple milkshake which has nothing extra in it (No dry fruits, no flavour addition nothing) apart from milk. But the taste … Very Unique. Again I have tried milkshake all over India but nothing beats this white goodness. Drinking it takes me back to my college memories of going on a date to have this Dudh Cold drink and hoping to take this ahead 😉
Now it has become a ritual to go to at least these two places whenever I am in Sangli to cuddle in the nostalgia of school and college. It helps me get back refreshed and ready to take on the competitive, fast, busy and many times isolated life of a Metro.
So please go to these places whenever you go to my city Sangli and I am sure it will warm your heart with love.
