When I think of Dasara, I’m immediately transported back to those sunny days of childhood in Mysore. In this city, the festival is celebrated with the kind of grandeur and zest that could put Bollywood’s biggest productions to shame! Dasara in Mysore is not just a festival; it’s an experience, a memory, a chapter from our childhood that we’ll fondly carry forever.
But before we dive into the iconic elephant processions, the luminous palace, and my mother’s endless list of things to do, let’s take a quick detour. Fast forward a few years, and here I am, sitting at Bengaluru Cafe, Fairfax, VA (Yes, that Bengaluru Cafe that’s become my second home), relishing a crispy Masala Dosa while reminiscing about school holidays that revolved around the excitement of Dasara.
The School Life Struggle: A Student’s Calendar of Joy
For every Indian student, Dasara holidays were that small slice of paradise in a year otherwise filled with quizzes, assignments, and “beta, have you finished your homework?” With those ten days of freedom, we thought we could achieve everything: become cricket stars, read an entire comic book series, and somehow learn to fix the bicycle out of spare parts. Spoiler alert: I achieved none of those things, but I did manage to learn how to finish a box of Nandini Mysore Pak all by myself!
My friends and I would meticulously plan how we’d spend each day of the vacation. And by "plan," I mean we’d spend the first half of the holidays doing nothing and then panic-study the night before school reopened. Procrastination was our middle name and our parents? The unofficial ministers of reality checks!
Dasara in Mysore: The City of Kings and Elephants
Speaking of Mysore, if there’s one place that truly understands how to celebrate Dasara, it’s this royal city. With the majestic Mysore Palace glowing in millions of light bulbs, and the beautifully adorned elephants marching majestically, it’s as if the entire city comes alive with a touch of fairy-tale magic.
I remember once, in a burst of enthusiasm, I decided to join my cousins to watch the grand parade. It was going great until we realized we’d been standing in one spot for three hours. Our legs were numb, but our hearts were full. After all, it’s not every day that you get to see caparisoned elephants, dancers, and floats that seem to be straight out of a dream!
Fast forward to today, if you ever want to relive that magic in Fairfax, VA, just step into Bengaluru Cafe. From the delicate aroma of the Sambhar to the sweet taste of Rose Lassi, it feels like Dasara never really left me.
Bengaluru Cafe: A Taste of Nostalgia, One Dosa at a Time
Now, let’s connect the dots between school holidays, Mysore’s Dasara, and my go-to haven: Bengaluru Cafe. What’s the connection, you ask? Simple—food, family, and that irreplaceable feeling of home!
Every year during Dasara, my grandmother would make special sweets like Obbattu (that heavenly mix of jaggery and lentils) and Akki Rotti (spicy, crispy rice bread of goodness). Sitting in Bengaluru Cafe, biting into their freshly made sweets, it’s like taking a bite out of my childhood.
This year, Bengaluru Cafe has introduced something that’s got my taste buds doing somersaults—a Divine Temple Thali ( Special Lunch) for Dasara! all arranged neatly like an obedient student’s notebook, ready to take you on a trip back to those delightful holiday feasts in Mysore.
Bengaluru Cafe’s Dasara Celebration: From Mysore to Virginia
Here’s what makes this place stand out—Bengaluru Cafe doesn’t just serve food; it serves memories. With every Dosa that crackles on your plate, with every sip of the tangy Mango Lassi, they’ve managed to bring a slice of Mysore’s Dasara celebrations to Virginia. The festive music, the aroma of freshly ground filter coffee, and the cheerful staff (always ready with a smile and a spicy suggestion) make the cafe a mini Mysore of its own.
And this year, as I watch the festive fervour unfold in Mysore through live streams, I’ll be at Bengaluru Cafe, savouring their special Dasara menu.
Dasara, whether celebrated in the royal streets of Mysore or the cosy corners of Bengaluru Cafe, VA, is all about family, food, and fond memories. It’s about celebrating traditions, reconnecting with your roots, and, most importantly, eating till you’re so full, that you’re practically rolling back home.
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