Day Tripper, Sunday Driver Yeah


                  Hindu Holiday


                 


Are you sitting around, watching the paint dry in your condo? Has your life become how  can I 


say this, “BOOORING?” Well my friends, it may be time to gas up the Desoto and head for the 


Hills. Can you say “ROAD TRIP?” But , “where to go?’ Not too close because you’ve already 


been there 1000 times, not too far as your non sciatica begins to bark after 2 hours. How about 


India? I bet you haven't been there. Well not real India but close. This one is located just 30 


Minutes away  and you won’t believe your eyes. If you haven’t been to the Mandir Temple ( 


technically the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir) 112 Main St in Windsor , it is a sight to 


behold. It is the world's largest Hindu Temple outside of India with some of it still under 


construction. Admission is free and open to all interested in Hindu spirituality , art and culture. 


The temple itself is set on a moat and is like nothing you have ever  seen. It is absolutely 


massive, constructed entirely of white Carrara marble, painstakingly carved by artisans in India 


for millions of hours.It is a place of silent introspection and no shoes or photos are allowed.


Wander around the grounds and take a few moments to enjoy the serenity. Gaze up at the 


towering golden statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and trace his spiritual journey through India.


That's when you hear a faint sound , “Mauka., “ Mauka”. What does it mean? Then you 


remember, oh yes, as part of your sojourn, you made dinner reservations at that Indian 


restaurant in Eatontown and it is almost time to leave.Now in case you are living under a rock, 

Mauka (78 NJ-35 Eatontown) has been converting non believers since it opened this year .It is 


headed by Nadir Gillani, long time resident and owner of Tandoor Restaurant In Morganville. He 


and his executive chef Ashish Rane offer up a large variety of classic indian specialties along 


with  some outstanding vegetarian options.Now before you can say, ‘it’s too spicy, I don't like it’, 


know that they ask what spice level you would like. The answer to that is always “Mild”. Now I 


am far from an expert on Indian food but I can still steer you in the right direction.For my money 


, you can’t go wrong starting off with “ Chaat”, super popular little delicacies sold as street food 


in India. I am specifically fond of the Palak Aam Potto Chaat  crispy spinach with mango AND


garbanzo beans , though my favorite  IS still the Chowk KI Tikki Choley Chaat, potato patties 


stuffed with mint and tamarind.Now I am betting that you didn’t have that yesterday. Sample 


these and you will soon be asking yourself, “Self,  what was I afraid of ?” Now since the portions 


are very large, I would order just one “main”  sticking to the classics, like the tasty Saag Paneer 


(cooked spinach studded with cubes of fried paneer cheese) , the creamy Tikka Chicken 


Marsala or if you are really hungry, The Tandoor Mixed Grill with Lambchops.So how's that for a 


different kind of day? Better than waiting at the self checkout at Costco with a rotisserie chicken 


in hand trying not to drip the juices  all over your new sneakers? You bet it is. So for those faint 


of stomach ,it might be time to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. After all ,you only 


live once. Maybe not in Hinduism  but what do I know?  As the Hindu proverb says “ There is 


not a tree in the woods that has not been shaken by the wind”. I am not sure that it really applies 


but I thought it sounded cool. So anyway until the next time, enjoy your life,  live well my friends 


and “Namaste”. 

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