Who makes the best Lassi of India?

No one in their right mind will not like the Indian Lassi! Arguably India’s most popular and famous drink, this thick and sweet yoghurt drink that comes in many flavors and thickness can send you on a dizzy path to foodie heaven. Whether it is the traditional sweet lassi, mango lassi, dry fruit lassi, elaichi lassi, zafrani lassi or any of the many other flavors, this drink is had all through the year. Some have it in the morning on an empty stomach as a daily dose of probiotic. Some have it to beat the summer heat. And some have it to digest a heavy Indian meal. And each of them enjoy the happiness quotient that comes along with it.



But, the key question here is, where to find the best lassi of India? While there are lassi shops galore in all the towns and cities of India, not everyone gives you that foodie heaven trip. I am an extremely big fan of this sweet drink and have tried it almost in every single Indian village, town, city, highway that I have visited and where it was available.



There are a few that have left a long lasting effect on me. They are:

1) The simple, but fresh and thick lassi served with no sugar early in the morning on the small bylanes of Amritsar old city. It one of the top Amritsar food experiences and is definitely my favorite for its sheer simplicity, texture and taste.

2) The divinely creamy and thick Elaichi and pista lassi of Shri Mishrilal hotel at Ghanta Ghar, Jodhpur. This lassi is literally like ice-cream and is to be had with a spoon. Goes extremely well with spicy chilli bajji and kachori. A great breakfast idea in the blue city of Jodhpur and a hot favorite for those who like their lassi rich and creamy.

3) A fresh glass of thick lassi served with malai at the iconic Lassiwala of Jaipur, one of the top foodie experiences of Jaipur.  This lassi is not as rich as the Jodhpur one, but still packs quite a punch.

4) The lassi available on the highway dhabas in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana who have their own cows. This fresh lassi goes so well with the traditional Punjabi food that these dhabas dish out.



Well, these are my favorite places to have the best lassi experience in India. I would love to hear your lassi experiences so that I can try them out when I visit that place next. Let’s share this love for lassi!

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10 Yummy Amritsar Experiences the Foodie in you should not miss!

Thinking of delicious Punjabi food? Think Amritsar! Dreaming of hitting a street food trail in Punjab? Think of Amritsar again! Amritsar is one of those places in India that is a foodie’s absolute delight. When people think of Amritsar, they think of the Golden temple and the Wagah border, but when I think of Amritsar, I think of those mouth watering kulche, pind de chole, jalebi, kulfa and much more. It’s streets offer some of the best street food of India and is a must explore and taste for the food lover in you. From dhabas to the langar in the golden temple and from the iconic shops in the small alleys of Amritsar to the floating street vendors, this is one place where all kinds of foodies will find peace.

Below are 10 top food experiences from this holy city that you should experience on your next trip. As I am a vegetarian, these experiences are from a vegetarian’s perspective. If you are a meat eater, you will find an even better range as Amritsar is also one of the meat food capitals of India.

A Glass of Fresh Lassi in the Morning



Some people start their day with a cup of coffee. For some it is a cup of tea. When you are in Amritsar, it is a big glass of freshly made lassi. This sweet yoghurt drink is available almost everywhere in the city and available from as early as half past six in the morning. My favorite lassi moment was from the streets of Shastri market where I would drink a glass of fresh lassi every morning (my power charger) just before I went for my morning walk around the old corridor of Amritsar.

Puri Chana for Breakfast

Most of India associates Puri with Alu Gravy. In Amritsar, it is Puri served with Pind de Chole, onions and tangy radish. And this combo is like a traditional breakfast choice and one that you should not miss at any cost. Whether you are relishing them at the iconic Kanha Sweets, Goenkar Sweets or at any of the small thela walas on the streets of old city, you are bound to absolutely enjoy this iconic Amritsari breakfast.

True Ghee Experience at Kesar da Dhaba



If there is one dhaba that you have to visit in Amritsar, this has to be it. Kesar da Dhaba, located in the old city of Amritsar and not far away from the Golden temple is an iconic restaurant here. They do not use oil to cook the food. Instead, they use ghee. Their dal makhani, gulab jamun, lassi and kulches are to die for. But, let me warn you. Do not expect to feel hungry for a long time as the rich ghee food takes you to food heaven and keeps you there for a long while.

Langar at Golden Temple



Another iconic eating joint of Amritsar. Called the Guru ka Langar or the community Kitchen, this place serves food to thousands daily. And did I say that food here is free of cost? People from all walks of life come here, sit on the floor and eat the delicious food cooked in the community kitchen. Food served here is simple and traditional, but its taste is top class. A must visit after offering your prayers at the Durbar Sahib (Golden Temple).

Gurdas Ram de Jalebi Wale



The name says it all. A small and non-descript joint, this place whose history traces to 1956, dishes out some dreamy jalebis and gulab jamun. They only make these 2 desserts and make it right in front of you. Not set in the most enterprising atmosphere, but the food is as good as it can be. As it is located very close to Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden temple, it offers the perfect excuse to recover those lost calories and get closer to heaven.

Kaala Khatta at Ramkaran Cool Spot



Chuski le lo! Chuski le lo! These calls from my school days still ring loud in my head even today. The different colored Chuskis and the Kaala Khatta are two super popular summer drinks/sip ons. Ram Karan Cool-Spot, a popular name in Amritsar is a mobile vehicle that serves these treats on a tri cycle. Located in the posh residential area of Amritsar, Ram Karan has served his treats on destination weddings for Punjabis worldwide. I was lucky to discover this mobile cool-spot thanks to a Sardarji friend of mine. The Kaala Khatta here is legendary and one that I would always recommend.

A-One Kulfa



Falooda, Rabri, Gond Kathira and Kulfi ice cream put together make the Kulfa. Created in a mighty big tin device, the A-One Kulfa on Queens road is the best place to enjoy this sweet treat. Open between 3 and 11 pm, if you having a craving for something sweet and if you wish to try something iconic, then the cold Kulfa definitely makes the cut.

Chungi de Kulche for your afternoon Kulche Lunch



A small dhaba that only locals know, Chungi de Kulche is one of the best places in town to enjoy your Kulche lunch. Much cheaper than the other dhabas, this place is known mainly for its Kulche. Go here for your Kulche craving!

Family Dinner at Brothers Dhaba

A name that every Amritsari family knows is Brothers Dhaba. Insanely popular during weekends, this place serves all the top food attractions of Amritsar. It’s dal makhani, chole, Kulche and Parantha are famous. I had one of my dinners there and was very happy with the quality of food served.

Bade Bhai ka Brothers Dhaba

With a name that makes you take notice, the Bade Bhai ka Brothers Dhaba is another Amritsari restaurant that commands great status for its tasty food. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, this Amritsari Dhaba chain offers great food value. Paranthas, Kulche, Chole, Paneer, Dal Makhani and much more are on offer here. I had Kulche, Chole and Lassi here for breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of its branches is located close to Jallianwala Bagh and not too far away from the Golden Temple.

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Golden Temple – Holy Shrine of the Sikhs!!

Of days gone by...this February during my solo all India motorcycle journey… 

During my stay at Amritsar, I had visited the Jallianwala Bagh, seen the parade at the Wagah Border, walked the vibrant bazaars and had tasted the mouth watering Amritsari Kulchas. The only thing remaining on my agenda was a visit to the Golden Temple or Harmandir Sahib, one of the oldest Sikh gurudwaras and the holy shrine of the Sikhs.

It was a bright morning and I walked through quiet lanes to reach the golden temple (Harmandir Sahib). I left my footwear at the massive footwear stall, tried my bandana on my head (as it is mandatory to cover one’s head before they enter the temple), washed my feet at the small water pool and as I went speechless on seeing this beautiful piece of architecture. The setting was heavenly. As it was a bright and sunny day, the gold on the temple shone and it was contrasted picturesquely by the blue of the surrounding lake and the sky. Following this speechless moment, I went round the entire Harmandir Sahib complex. I found out that there were entrances on all four sides of the temple and many shrines to past Sikh gurus, Saints and Martyrs inside the temple complex. There are three holy trees (bers) which are associated with a historical event or Sikh saint.


As I walked towards the main shrine, I saw scores of devotees taking a dip in the lake of holy water that surrounds the golden temple. As I reached the main temple entrance, I saw people being frisked by the security personnel. Only bare minimum accessories are allowed inside. And thanks to some prior guidance from my hotel, I had come prepared with just my sunglasses, bandana and camera. Once I had joined the crowd, I was told not to take photographs by a security guard. I respected his statement and stopped taking pictures, though there were some folks who didn’t seem to bother. After a decent wait with the crowd, I was finally able to enter the main shrine. This is where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present. It is the eternal guru of Sikhism and is their holiest literature. The prayer session was in progress. The entire place had a very peaceful note to it.


On my way back, I stopped to admire the huge school of fishes that inhabit the lake that surrounds the golden temple. And, went round the entire Harmandir Sahib complex one more time to soak in the precious moment. A very beautiful, peaceful and holy (of course) place to visit.

To see India through the eyes of a motorcyclist’s lens, visit the album below.

my solo all-india motorcycle journey

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Soldiers parading at the Wagah Border is quite a sight!!

Of days gone by...this February during my solo all India motorcycle journey…

About 10 kms North West from the Amritsar town is the famous India-Pakistan Wagah border. Every evening, soldiers from both nations parade in traditional fashion and this parade and retreat ceremony is open to the public. And the public find it a great spectacle.

And like a typical tourist, I went one evening to see this famed spectacle with my own eyes. Before entering the main gate, I stopped, asked permission and took a photo of a well decked soldier. And on showing the photograph, the soldier asked his comrade to give me a seat in the VIP box. It was a great beginning.


The crowd was pouring in. The entire gallery filled up in no time. I could see the soldiers warming up. From my seat I got my first sight of Pakistan, their soldiers dressed in black pathani dress and their citizens. It was a great to see the India and the Pakistan flags fluttering next to each other. There is a small embankment next to the border gate and this embankment was occupied by the army officers and their family. Most of these officers were dressed sparkling in their uniform.



Before the parade by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers started, local girls and students entertained the crowd with a flag run session followed by a group dance session to some patriotic Bollywood song numbers. The parade by the Indian and the Pakistan soldiers was extremely synchronized and the parade was given an impetus by the voices on both sides. These voices would urge the crowd to shout the patriotic phrases like ‘Hindustan Zindabad’ on the Indian side and ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ on the Pakistan side. The other phrase was ‘Vande Mataram’ on the Indian side and ‘Jheele Jheele’ on the Pakistan side.


The crowd on either side would try to drown the other with their higher decibel levels and this would lead to some lovely competition. The specialty of the parade according to me was the extremely fast pace at which the soldiers walked and their extremely flexible legs. So flexible were those legs that it looked like a gymnastic session. The parade was followed by the flag retreat ceremony. One could feel and see a lot of passion being shown in the soldier’s actions during the parade and the flag retreat ceremony.

To see India through  the eyes of a motorcyclist’s lens, visit the album below.

my solo all-india motorcycle journey

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Jallianwala Bagh – A trip into India’s bloody past!!

Of days gone by...this February during my solo all India motorcycle journey…

I was in the busy bazaar road of Amritsar that leads to the Golden Temple, the holy shrines of the Sikhs. The entire market road is dotted with vibrant colours, musical instruments and shops that serve you the famous Amritsari kulchas. But as I was ambling through, my eyes read a sign that said Jallianwala Bagh Memorial. History lessons from school days and stories of the British Raj came floating into my mind as I read this sign. Without battling an eyelid, I made my way into this place which has had such a bloody past.

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden that houses a memorial of national importance. It was established in 1951 to commemorate the murder of peaceful celebrators on the occasion of the Punjabi New Year on April 13, 1919 in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.


As I entered this place, I was shocked to see the place brimming with people. It look liked a picnic spot with kids playing Frisbee and cricket. Others were catching up on old stories or taking a power nap. I pushed these scenes to the back of my head and began to explore the place in earnest. As soon as I entered I could see a huge stone structure. This is the war memorial. About a short distance from the entrance is the flame of peace. There is a museum to the west of the entrance that depicts the jallianwala bagh massacre and the horrific story. In the centre east of the garden are the walls with the bullet marks. I get the creeps if I even try to visualize this massacre.

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