Manis Lunch Home

अन्नम परब्रःम्म श्र्वरूपम्

(ANNAM PARABRAHMA SWAROOPAM)

Food is Brahman. Everything that lives was born from Food lives on Food

and in the end, shall merge into Food! Food is verily the greatest amongst all Creation!"

अहमन्नम अहमन्नम अहमन्नम् 

अहम अन्नदोहम अन्नदोहम अन्नदः

AhamAnnamAhamAnnamAhamAnnam!

Aham Annadoham Annadoham Annadah!

I am the food! I am the food! I am the food!

I am the eater of the food, I am the eater of the food,

I am the eater of the food

 ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्मा हविः ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् 

ब्रह्मैव तेन गन्तव्यं ब्रह्मा कर्म समाधिना  

brahmaarpaNam brahma haviH brahmaagnau brahmaNaa hutam h

brshmaiva tena grantavyaM brahma karma samadhinaa (4/24)

(Bhagavad-Gita chapter -4, verse 24.)

In Hinduism, food is so vitally important, that considered being actual part of God. Hindus before having their food make an offering to Lord and later partake of it as Prasada (blessed food) a holy gift from the Lord. According to Hinduism, what we receive in life as food is really of Lords alone. Hindu concept is that You are what you eat. Pranan is annam and Sareeram is the one that consumes annam. Sareeram resides on Pranan. Prananan resides in Sareeram. Then annam resides in annam. When one eats food, the food is Brahman (God), it is offered to Brahman (God) then the process is; he is eating himself because food and he are one in the same.

अन्नं  न  निन्द्यत. तदव्रतम, प्राणो  वा अन्नंम, सरीरमअन्नदम.

प्राणे सरीरं प्रतिष्टितम  सरिरे प्राणः  प्रतिष्टित: , तदेतदन्नमन्ने  प्रतिस्थितम

सा य  एतदन्नमन्ने  प्रतिष्टितं   वेद  प्रतितिष्टति , अन्नवानन्नादो भवति

Annam na nindyat. Tad vratam, Prano va annam, sariram annadam. Prane sariram pratisthitam, sarire pranah pratisthitah, tadetadannamanne pratisthitam.Sa ya etadannamanne pratisthitam veda pratitisthati, annavanannado bhavati

Annam (Food) na (not) nindyat (speak ill of) Tadvratam (vow)  Prano (life)  va (Verily) annam (food) sariram (the body) annadam (eater of food) prane (in life) sariram (body) pratisthitam (is established) sarire (in the body) pranah (life) pratisthitah (is established) tadetadannamanne tad (therefore) etad (this) annam (food) anne (in food) pratisthitam (established) Sa (he) etadannamanne tad (therefore) etad (this) annam (food) anne (in food) pratisthitam (established) veda (knows)  pratitisthati (is established) annavananado bhavanti (he becomes happy, rich in food and great by fame)

Not speak ill of food: that is the vow. Prana (the God that reside with in us) is food: in prana the body is established. And again in the body, Prana is maintained and resides; so thus food is established in food (Annamresides onAnnam). He who realizes this that food thus rests in food reaches rich in food and becomes eater of food and attain great by fame.

 अन्नं वै प्राणः

 Annam vai pranah:

All life forces comes from food 

अन्नं  बहु  कुर्वीतः

 Annambahu kurveet:

Let food be produced in plenty

अन्नम ना निन्ध्यतः

 Annamna nindhyath:

Do not abuse food

 अन्नम ना परिचक्षीतः

 Annambahu kurveeta:

Grow food in abundance

 ॐ अन्नाद्वै प्रजा प्रजायन्ते यः कश्च पृथिवीं स्रिथः  

अथो अन्ने-नैव जीवन्ति अथैन-दपियन-यान्त-तथः

       अन्न नगुं हि  भूतानां  ज्येष्टं………………….

         अन्नद भूतानि जायन्ते जतन अन्नेन वर्दन्ते………. 

 "annAdvai prajA prajAyantE
yAh kAscha pruthiveem srithAh
athO annae- naiva jeevanti
athaina-dapiyan-yant-tathah:
anna-nagum hi bhUtAnAm jyEshtam...
annAd bhUtAni jAyntaE
jAtAn annEna vardantE...."

(Taittiriya Upanishad: "Anandavalli")

In Taittiya Upanishad Varuna gives advices to his son Bhrigu

(Chapter 3 Bhriguvalli)

The great epic Mahabharata Book-13: Anusasana parva part-2 Section 63 read as

The Giver of Food is said to be Giver of Life

There has never been, nor be any gift that is equal to the gifts of food. A man, by making gifts of food in this world, is sure toattain to an excellent place hereafter. He, who makes gifts of sweetmeat and all food that is sweet, attains to a residence in heaven where he is honored by all the deities and other denizens. A gift of food is visibly and immediately productive of the happiness of both the giver and the receiver. All other gifts produce fruits that are unseen.

According to Hinduism, what we eat determines our mental as well as physical state. On Srimad Bhagavad Gita (chapter 17-7) Lord Krishna advices, Arjuna, the descendent of Bharata that, food which is dear to every one impacts the triple qualities; say Sattva, Rajas and Tamas in our bodies, which in turn reflects on the balance of mind in terms of qualities.

Food that is freshly made, sweaty, juicy, fatty and tasty is Sattvic Food. It promotes happiness, cheerfulness, purity and strength are dear to one who is in the quality of goodness.

Foods which are bitter, sour, salty, excessively hot, dry and burning is Rajastic Food. It causes pain, grief, sufferings and disease are liked by one in the quality of passion.

The food that is half cooked, decayed, stored, left over, half eaten and impure is Tasmic Food. It promotes cruelty and evil nature and is dear to one in the quality of ignorance.

The Hindus are particular in choosing the food they eat and are also cautious about the source from which the food comes.

Anna Danam, in Hinduism is considered extremly dedicated, pious and effectuate because it is the only Dana in which the recipient pronounce fullness saying "enough" and "not any more" with blessings from inner soul   'Anna Data Sukeebhava' (May the donor of food remain happy for ever). Annadanam is Mahadanam, the greatest donation. There is no better puja and ritual in Hindu religion than feeding a hungry living being.

                        Gaja turaga Sahasram Gokulam koti danam        

  Kanaka Rajatha patram Methini sagarantham

Upaya kula vishuttam Koti kanya pradanam

 Nahi nahi bahu danam Annadanam samanam

Donating 1000 elephants and horses, 10 milliion cows, any number of vessels of gold and silver, the entire land till sea, offering the entire services of the clan, helping in the marriage of 10 million women, all this never equal to Annadanam.

There are numerous vedic stories and scriptures that adore the glory of Annadanam. Prominent being  Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva appearing as Mother Annapurneshwari and offering food to Lord Shiva.

Annapurna Devi is the Hindu Goddess of Food of the city of Kashi. In this Swaroop Mother Goddess Parvathy holds a small vessel containing food and ladle signifying that the worshipers are assured of food through out their lifetime.

It is believed that wherever the Mother Annapurna Devi idol is kept in the pooja place, those places will never suffer shortage of food.

1

Nithyaananda kari,Varaa abhya karee,
Soundarya rathnaakaree,
Nirddhotahakila ghora pavaanakaree,
Prathyaksha Maheswaree,
Praaleyachala vamsa pavavakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree.

 2

Naana rathna vichitra bhooshana karee,
Hemaambaradambaree,
Mukthaa haara vilamba maana vilasa,
Dwakshoja kumbaan dharee,
Kasmeera garu vasithaa ruchi karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 3

Yogaanandakaree ripu kshyakaree,
Dharman artha nishtaakaree,
Chandrarkaanala bhasa maana laharee,
Trilokya rakshaa karee,
Sarvaiswarya samastha vaanchithakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree
4

Kailaasaachala kandharaa laya karee,
Gowree , umaa sankaree,
Kaumaree nigamartha gochara karee,
Omkara beejaksharee,
Moksha dwaara kavata patana karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 5

Drusyaa drusya vibhootha vahana karee,
Brhmaanda bhando dharee,
Leelaa nataka suthra kelana karee,
Vijnana deeptham guree,
Sree viswesa mana prasaadhana karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 6

Urvee sarva janeswaree bhagawathee,
Maatha krupaa sagaree,
Venee neela samaana kunthala dharee,
Ananda dhaneswaree,
Sarvanandakaree bhayaa shubhakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 7

Aadhi kshaantha samastha varna nikaree,
Shabho tribhaava karee,
Kasmeeraa tripureswaree trilaharee,
Nithyaamakuree sarvaree,
Kamaa kamksha karee janodhaya karee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 8

Devee sarva vichitra rathna rachithaa,
Dakshayanee sundaree,
Vama swadu payodhara priyakaree,
Sownhagya maaheswaree,
Bhakthaabhishtakaree, sadaa shubhakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 9

Chandrakaanala koti koti sadrusaa,
Chandramsu bhimbaan dharee,
Chandrakaagni samaana kunthala dharee
Chandrarka varneshwaree,
Maala pustaka pasasangusa dharee,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 10

Kshatrathraanakaree, mahaa bhayakaree,
Mthaa krupaa sagaree,
Sakshaan mokshakaree sadaa shiva karee,
Visweshwaree sridharee,
Daksha krundha karee niraa mayakaree,
Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree

 11

Annapurne sadaa purne,
Sankara praana vallabhe,
Jnana vairagya sidhyartham,
Bikshaa dehee cha parvathy.

 12

Mathaa cha Parvathy Devi,
Pithaas cha Maheswara
Bandhawa Shiva Bhakatamscha,
Swadesho Bhuvana Trayam

Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer

(1911-1978)

Founder

Manis Lunch Home

Started and belongs to Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer, Keralite Tamil Brahmin Iyer a native of Palakkad, the Man who came up hard way.

Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer lost his parents both in his early childhood. And was compelled to move from his home town Palakkad in his early childhood itself for livelihood. Traveled through outIndia and served with various different dignitaries at their house kitchens. And finally came to Mumbai and settled with his own venture in the field of catering by 1920s. With his sound skills and vast experience could easily give a very good introduction to Mumbaikars exemplary exquisite South Indian delicious delicacies. He himself as a born cook, cooked himself, served and delivered at houses & offices, in bicycle.

MANI’S LUNCH HOME

(Since 1937)

Plot. No. 153/C.  MhaskarBuilding,

Matunga, Mumbai-400019

Tel.022-24127188

Cell: +91-9820282643

A peaceful walk down the main road just in front of the Matunga C.Rly. Station i.e. Lakhamsey Napoo Road, past Welingkar Management Institute, then R.A. PodarCollegeof Commerce, Ruia College and opposite Hindu Colony stands the humble modest “Mani’s offering every thing that is good in South Indian Snacks with homely taste and atmosphere.

The place opens around 6.30 a.m. and close sharply by 9 p.m. with a weekly holiday on Mondays

The restaurant serves only few items and never compromise on quality.  It prides in quality with odest price. In fact Mani’s is worthy to money.

The restaurant serve exotic perfectly light Idly, mouthwatering Medu wada, Potatowada, Uppuma, Sheera, Pongal,in the morning session and in addition Kela Bajji, Vegetable Bonda, Dal wada, Rasam wada, Dahi wada, Onion pakkoda, Mysorebonda, in the evening session and vast varieties of crisp Dosa’s. All these served with limitless accompaniments of chutney and spicy delicious MadrasOnion Sambar.  One can consume as much as chutney and sambar as desired without paying any extra cost.  This is the only restaurant in Mumbai that serve chutney and sambar in limitless quantity happily free of charge.  Mulagapodi the so called Powder Chutney really have a magical taste and it further enhances the quality and intake. In addition in the afternoon session varieties Rice such as Dahi Rice, Bisibellabath, Tomatoe Rice, Lemon Rice and Tamarind Rice also were served.

The Restaurant on Sundays prepares a secial South Dosa called ”ADDAI” in the evening after 3.30 p.m. served with pure fresh Butter accompanied by chutney and sambar which attracts customers in large from far and near.

On Sundays to meet the demands of Gujarati Jain customers Sambar is prepared with out onion, Jain type.

Now after the demise of Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer in 1978 his eldest son Sri. K.S. Narayanaswamy assisted by his brothers S. Venkatesh, & S. Raman took the charge of the restaurant.

MANI’S LUNCH HOME

Plot. No. 12,Sion- Dharavi Road,

Sion, Mumbai-400022

Tel. 022-24079584

The restaurant have a sister concern at Sion close to Sion Rly.Station, opposite to ‘Our Lady School serving exclusive varieties of Palakkad Kerala style Lunch and dinner. This shop opens by 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. for lunch and by 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. for dinner, with a weekly holiday on Saturdays. 

Now Sri. K.V. Narayanan the nephew of Late Sri. V.S. Mani Iyer administers the hotel.          

 MANI’S

 Model Co-Op. Hostel Soc. Ltd.

 384, DADBAWALA SADAN,

 Opp: Sri Bajan Samaj

 Telang Road, Matunga,

 Mumbai-400019.

 Tel.022-24021112

Cell: +91-9820282643

Now on May, 2002 Mani’s have opened one new additional outlet at Model  Co-Op.Hostel society (popularly known as Society), 384, Dadbawala Sadan,Telang Road, Opp: Sree Bajan Samaj, next to Sankar Mattam, Matunga,  Mumbai-40019, serving with authentic entire gamut of South Indian delicious fine cuisine, breakfast, Lunch,  snacks and dinner.

This shop opens at 6.30.a.m. and close by 10.30 p.m. with a weekly holiday on Tuesdays.

Morning breakfast includes Idli, Meduvada, Uppuma, Poori-Baji, Sheera (Kesari), Pongal and varieties of Dosa’s. All breakfast items shall avail up to 12.30 Noon.

Lunch starts by 11.00 a.m. and includes 2 bowls of rice, 2 Chapattis, one cup of solid baji, 2 cups of liquid baji, Rasam,Sambar, papad, pickles, butter milk and curd all at Rs.50.00 The full meals served on fresh plantain Leaves cost Rs.100.00 with one sweet dish/ payasam i.e. pudding.

On Thursday, Saturday & Sunday the menu includes Payasam.

The take away Carrier meals Costs Rs.55.00 and Vegetable set, comprises of Vegetable dishes, Sambar & Rasam, without chappathy or rice priced at  Rs.100.00 per set.

Sundays Lunch menu includes potato dry baji, pineapple pachadi (Liquid Baji), Aviyal, andMadras onion sambar with pickles puleenji.

The lunch session ceases by 3.p.m. and thereafter evening snacks session starts by 4.00 p.m.

Evening snacks items over and above the breakfast items includes fresh Sevai coconut/ lemon/plain, Kela Bajji, Vegetable Bonda, MysoreBonda, onion Bajji/Pokkoda, and vast varieties of spl. Dosas Such as Palak Dosa, Ulundu Dosa, Set Dosa, Addai Dosa, Neer Dosa, Tomato omelet, Cheese Dosa etc. and Semiya Pulav, Semiya Kitchadi, Vegetable Pulav, and much more mouth watering South Indian Delicious Delicacies.

During the festive occasion such as Onam traditional authentic full Keralite feast and items were all prepared according to custom and tradition to suit the respective festive mood.

MANI’S SWEETS & SALTIES

 384, Dadbawala Sadan,

 Telang Road, Matunga,

 Mumbai-400019.

 Tel. No. 022-24021112

cell: +91-9820282643

Special counter for fresh pure ghee sweets and savories were also introduced with varieties of sweet dishes such as Mysorepak, Bhoondi Laadu, Rava Laadu, Rose Jangiri, Badusha, Wheat Halwa, Carrot Halwa, Badam Halwa, Kaju Barfi, Kaju katri, Badam pista Roll, Cocoanut barfi and savories such as Mixture, Kara Sevai, Kara bhoondi, Omapodi, Ribbon pakkoda.

Unlike other hotel, in Mani’s the term Ghee represents as “PureGhee” and not vegetable ghee.  In chapatti also pure ghee is spread and not oil or vanaspati.

Among the sweets “Mysorepak” is highly praised and appreciated at large from far and near.