New Bus-Stops: What Stops Them From Stopping Here?

As we move on the Double Road towards Bangalore, the slick looking Bus Stops/Shelters on either side of the road will grab your attention. The contemporary looking all steel and beautifully designed shelter for the bus passengers looks all empty. And you'll see people waiting to alight the bus in hot sun and rain not very far away from these shelters. Quite bizarre, isn't it?


The two shelters for the buses moving towards Bangalore are built in a suitable place . The present Bus -Stop (in front of Raghavendra Temple) is actually blocking the traffic, and it also blocks(if there's a bus) the view of the vehicles coming from the road adjacent to the temple for the people driving on Double Road. The new stop is in front of the BDO office where there is an ample space for the buses to stop without blocking the flow of vehicles. And the Bus-Stop beside the KSRTC Depot gate is in disarray because that is the spot where the buses move-in and move-out of the depot causing confusion to the bus drivers and passengers alike. When there's a new slick looking Bus-Stops, what's stopping the buses from stopping there!!
The four other shelters on the road-side leading towards the town seem obsolete, because people usually get down from the buses and disperse immediately to their homes. However, it makes sense to stop the buses at the designated places so that there is a proper order and also the money spent on these bus shelters doesn't go waste. Hope the concerned KSRTC officials will issue an ordinance to make good use of these  infrastructure built for a certain purpose.
CC will definitely bring this to the notice of the concerned authorities, and your feedback will be a shot in the arm.

Chintamani Chaats- "Addirindi!!!"

The very mention of Chintamani Chaats will brighten many faces. The tongue moves over the lips signalling the craving of the taste-buds. The spontaneous word that comes with Chintamani to many outsiders is Chaats- such is it's popularity. It's almost customary to have the stalls that serve Chintamani Chaats at the wedding parties and other occasions. There are many Chaat shops sprinkled around Chintamani, each outlet has it's distinctive tastes.  

The word Chaat is derived from North India, usually referred to an evening snack and savory available on the roadside carts. But the Chaat Masala(mixture of ingredients, mainly Amchur, Ginger and Black Salt) used in the north Indian snack is not used in the process of making Chintamani Chaats. In Chintamani Chaats there are mainly two kinds of Chutneys that impart tastes to all the savouries. A green chutney made out of green chillies, coriander leaves etc and has one variant with garlic (they call it RR masala) and a dark brown sauce(gojju) made out of Tamarind and Jaggery ( Dates could be added too) are the main elements. Red Chilly powder is also used for few items. The other ingredients required to prepare Chintamani Chaats are Puffed rice (burugalu), Nippattu, Chuckli, Groundnuts, Corn Flakes, etc, and Onions, Tomatoes, Carrot & Coriander leaves.

The main items sold in every Chaat outlet in Chintamani are
* Kharam Burugalu(Puffed Rice masala) in 3-5 flavors
* Nippattu Masala
* Onion Chuckli Masala
* Tomato Slice Masala
* Pesarubyallu (Dal Masala)
* Oumpudi Masala (Sev Masala)
* Cornflakes Masala
* Cucumber Masala
* Boti Masala
* Peragu Boondhi (Yogurt with Savory)
* Sweet Corn Masala
And there are many other preparations/savories which the shop owners innovate to induce costumer interest.

Unlike the North Indian Chaats which could be heavy on stomach, the Chintamani Chaats are light on tummy and can be consumed anytime of the day. And not to forget, it's light on the pocket too- with 100 rupees 3 or 4 people can have a blasting time enjoying all the mouth-watering delicacies. If you live in Chintamani you are never far from a Chaat shop. So what are you waiting for, head towards the nearest outlet. Those who live outside Chintamani plan your visit to Chintamani. With Chintamani Chaats .... it is the true Chintamani Calling!!:)