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DIMAPUR — For samosa lovers in Dimapur, Maharaj Hotel could easily be one of the most cherished and preferred spots. Boasting decades of legacy, this unassuming establishment located at Marwari Patti has grown from a modest venture to a beloved culinary landmark.
Commonly known as Maharaj Samosa, the eatery, renowned for its fiery and flavourful samosas, has become a staple stop for people from all walks of life.
Despite its humble surroundings, the hotel's popularity transcends class and religion, drawing patrons for its delectable offerings that include samosas, jalebis, kachoris and tea.
A favourite of NLA Speaker
Among its patrons is Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, whose relationship with the hotel spans over a decade.
“I used to frequent a samosa and kachori place in Mukherjee Nagar, North Delhi, during my entire days of study and practice. After returning home, I missed my favourite indulgence so I started trying out places to see if any of them could match the taste and flavour, and that is when I discovered Maharaj Hotel,” Longkumer recalled
According to Longkumer, the morning hours are the best time to visit, and he enjoys sitting in the humble eatery, munching on its offerings with tea and companions from different walks of life.
While there are many places that serve samosas and kachoris, “our Maharaja nailed it,” he said, referring to the combination of ingredients used in the stuffing for the popular snacks.
The popular eatery started as a small business decades ago and is run by six brothers who are originally from Rajasthan.
RP Sharma, the eldest of the six siblings, told Eastern Mirror that their humble beginning, which started a little more than 40 years ago, was not easy, but as the number of regular customers increased, their business flourished to where it is today.
Little did they know, four decades ago, that this small venture would evolve into a family business, becoming a major livelihood source for them.
At present, Sharma and two of his brothers are in Dimapur, while the other three are in Rajasthan, looking after the family and earning livelihoods as farmers.
A morning to evening affair
During a brief interaction with this newspaper, Sharma, who was busy frying a batch of kachoris and samosas, maintained that the eatery serves hygienic food.
As the shop opens at 7 am and closes at 7 pm, ‘we eat samosas and kachoris for breakfast’, he said, adding that they also like to sit and snack on them, just like their customers.
Sharma noted that when they first opened shop, samosas were priced at INR 1 and now it has gone up to INR 15.
In a day, they make an average of 300-350 samosas, about 70-80 kachoris, which are also priced at INR 15 apiece, and about 10 kilogrammes of jalebis, which cost INR 160 per kg.
Sharma said the eatery also receives bulk orders for parties and other celebrations.
Bringing together diverse customers
Despite sharing common ingredients, samosas served in different places differ in taste. But whether accompanied by a cup of sweet tea or paired with sweet and spicy chutneys, samosas are a beloved snack cherished everywhere.
The Maharaj Hotel is no exception, as it is very common to see students from the nearby college, dressed in their blue salwar uniforms, polishing off their plates of samosas with spicy chutney.
Like the students, Kumar (name changed) is a regular customer who has been visiting the eatery during his office lunch break for the past four years.
Seated with a plate of samosas and hot tea, he shared that it has become a daily indulgence and he completes his day’s visit with a piece of crispy jalebi.
Aside from the business, Sharma's and his family's four-decade stay in Nagaland has been one of the safest and most fruitful.
He observed that no society or religion is 100 percent perfect; however, Dimapur has been and continues to be one of the best places to live, with people from various states coexisting in harmony. Dimapur is my home, he added.