Monday, March 9, 2009

Changing Bandra

Bandra, which was once the Queen of the Suburbs slowly slowly becoming a Muslim stronghold. The Parsees have gone long ago, now even the Christians are flocking with boundless enthusiasm to depart.
Only Muslims and Sindhis are left in Bandra in our day, one wonders how they can stand each other only.

Formerly mostly Catholic, Bandra was famous for its Churches and two atashbeheram (Pantaki and Tata, though the latter is more less - both atash e adaran).
Especially to be mentioned in a most particular regard is Mount Mary's Church, on hill facing the ocean, which contains a Christian idol that is several centuries old. It is rumored by the superstitious of far around to be miraculous. Many Goanese desire to visit in September, and also crores of devoted from other faiths who are hoping for blessings.


Bandra also Mumbai's most popular shopping destinations, as well also many famous fine dining.


West Bandra
West Bandra has Pali hill and the many impressive residences of Bollywood kingpins plus shopping and finely dining. Of particularly I mention the availability of kababs, most delicious, as cooked for centuries by Muslim chefs from United Province, plus delightful roasted fowls and fresh roti. There is also northern, Dilhwi style, Pakistani food, and vegetarian. SV Road, Linking Road, Water Field Road - remember these, but especially Pali Road for strange foreign foods. For instance sambar, rawa dosas and masala dosas, coconut chutney, and coffee.
Malwani food also available.

East Bandra
Konkni Mohametans settled three centuries in East Bandra, so making the neighborhood of Naopada, circulated about the Konkni Masjid and Mota Talao (now possessed to the city and named the Bandra Talao). Here is where State Government Employee Quarters and the Collectors Office are located.

8 comments:

GRANT!PATEL! said...

Bereft I am at the paucity of comentees.

Oh bollocks.


---Grant Peed

The back of the hill said...

Well my dear man, none of us know what to say. You're the only one of us who even knows about Bandra.

Konkni Mohametans settled three centuries in East Bandra, so making the neighborhood of Naopada; Naopada - nine footsteps?

GRANT!PATEL! said...

Nine villages. Or settlements. Though, now that it is mentioned, it might indeed be derived from pad (pao).

This I must alacritously uplook.


---Grant Patel

DEATH BY NOODLES said...

but especially Pali Road for strange foreign foods. For instance sambar, rawa dosas and masala dosas, coconut chutney, and coffee.


All of those are Indian too!

DEATH BY NOODLES said...

And at least yo seem to like Muslim chefs, if not Muslim other people.

GRANT!PATEL! said...

No problem with the Muslim chefs - they cook the camels that the others rode in on.


---Grant Beefsteak

GRANT!PATEL! said...

Pity that the camels could not stumble and bite on the way in, though.


---Grant Killerrabbits

DEATH BY NOODLES said...

So, Granti-umms, are you going to give us some Muslim recipes one of these days? Hmmmm?