Have puja at home but feel like snacking? Breaking a fast but don't feel like cooking? Want to carry some food for your conservative mother-in-law who doesn't take onion and garlic?
If you've faced these situations and wracked your brains for a solution without finding any, here's Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) to your rescue with its satvik food.
Iskcon has launched its Govinda's eatery in Jamshedpur, its first foray in Jharkhand, on September 9 to mark Radha Ashtami. A mobile unit for now for lack of space, the van is parked in Bistupur at Inner Circle Road behind Gopal Maidan. The timings are between 5.30pm and 10pm.
Govinda serves about 25 dishes, including dosa, vegetable cutlet, aloo paratha, chilli paneer and gobi manchurian, all free of onion and garlic. In fact, the food is prasad. Just like bhog in temples, food first served to lord Krishna is then mixed with what is prepared for mass-scale consumption.
Govinda's restaurants are famous across the world for satvik food. They have a presence in 1,000-plus venues across the world, including New York City, Los Angeles, Hawaii and Tuscon to name a few. In the New York restaurant, apart from samosas, tofu and quinoa salad are their pop picks.
In fact, there's a Govinda's eatery wherever there is an Iskcon temple.
"In India, there are about 130 temples with its headquarters at Mayapur in Bengal. But, in Jamshedpur, there is no temple as yet," said P. Jagannath Das, a preacher of Iskcon. "Still, we wanted to offer satvik food to people and they are liking it," he said.
According to Das, a majority of the menu changes everyday. "Quantity is less, there is no wastage and no stale food. Ask anyone who's tried our food anywhere in the world. We are known for our fresh, homemade offerings without preservatives, which are as healthy as possible. The cooks are Iskcon members who maintain utmost cleanliness and hygiene while preparing food," Das said.
Since its launch, business has been brisk. "Who normally finds satvik food in the city? It's great for some communities who avoid going to restaurants because they don't want garlic or onions. Food here is also very hygienic and tasty," said Suresh Sonthalia, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, who went to the outlet on Day One.
Govinda's is a good way to have satvik food and generate revenue for the organisation that undertakes social projects. Iskcon runs the Akshaya Patra project that prepares midday meals to around 63 government schools in East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan daily.
