Tucked inside Delhi's Hauz Khas Village is a restaurant that almost anyone would mistake for a temple at first glance. It is called Naivedyam, a name that carries deep meaning in itself. Naivedyam refers to the food that is offered to God or to someone deeply revered. In Sanatan Dharma, fruits, sweets or cooked food, known as bhog, are offered to deities during worship, and this offering is called naivedya. Once the deity is believed to have accepted it, the same food becomes prasad. That is why the name of this restaurant strikes people as so unusual.
A Temple on the Outside, a Restaurant Within
As soon as you enter Hauz Khas Village, this place appears before you inside an old building. The structure is so old that at first it looks like an abandoned, shut-down building. But glance at the entrance and you will spot Nandi, considered the mount and charioteer of Lord Shiva, seated there. The Nandi statue is draped with flowers and leaves, as if someone has just finished worshipping. All of this convinces visitors that there must be a temple inside.
That impression breaks the moment you step through the door. There is no temple here, just a genuine restaurant. Elegant tables and chairs are arranged, the lighting is kept very dim, and no music plays. Even so, the atmosphere feels like that of a luxury restaurant. The entire space is built around a South Indian theme, and most of the people who come to eat here are those who love South Indian flavours.
Easy on the Pocket
One of the biggest highlights of this restaurant is that eating and drinking here is not very expensive. Idli, sambhar and dosa start at just 100 rupees. A fruit chaat served with ice cream costs 200 rupees, and the taste is good enough to make every rupee feel worth it. On top of that, the menu offers everything from coconut water and badam milk to cold coffee.
Dining Among Idols of the Gods
Inside the restaurant too, you will find idols and posters of various deities. In one corner Lord Krishna appears surrounded by cows, while in another you get a glimpse of Tirupati Balaji. The whole place is ringed by statues and posters of gods. The most striking part is that the food served here is entirely vegetarian, with no non-veg on offer at all.
Served in Metal, Not Plastic
While most restaurants today rely on disposable dishes and plastic, which is considered harmful to health, this restaurant serves everything in brass, copper and steel utensils. This not only enhances the taste of the food but is also better for health, and it carries no chemicals of any kind.
