A Brief Introduction
Today there is a sweet shop on every street, and India is known for its culture of mithaiwalas, but the only thing that stands out is the one that is old and provides authentic taste. In Mumbai, when roaming the old Mahim streets, you will find a sweet slice of history. It's a bit like stepping into a time machine.
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Yes, here we are talking about Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala, which is a nondescript shop with a 204-year-old history. The vintage architecture of Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala may not catch the eye at once, but for the patrons, it is their go-to place for all kinds of sweets, especially the Mahim halwa.
History And Its Origin
The business was founded by Maoji Joshi, who travelled to Bombay from a tiny village near Dwarka on foot due to the lack of local opportunities. Starting as a street hawker and cook, he had a clear vision of leaving behind a well-established set-up for his future generations. And if we take a closer look, it appears he was successful in doing that. He was able to erect a massive building that is currently facing each other and serving as two stores in Mahim.
Image credits: Google Images
All Joshi family members reside on the top floors of these two buildings in several apartments while the sweet shop continues to serve its patrons. Although the structure is 72 years old, the concept is much older, and today they have branches not just in Mahim but also in Dadar. In actuality, the store is well-known for its Mahim halwa
What Is Mahim Halwa And How Was It Invented?
According to the data, it is said that the founder’s son, Giridhar Joshi's first offering was the laddu and sev boondi mohan thal. It was only after he was visited by a Turkish traveler who made him taste lokum, a kind of Turkish candy, did he create Mahim halwa. Giridhar got so obsessed with the flavour that he made several attempts for 20 years to recreate it until one day when his experiment gave way to a thin sheet of milk sweet that had gotten separated. Since halva was the name of a popular fish in the area and a fisherwoman remarked that the sweet tasted better than halva, the mithai came to be known as Mahim Halwa.
Image Credits: Google Images
How Did The Name Of The Shop Come To Be Decided?
It is very interesting to note that the shop’s name combines a variety of historical events, like Joshi was the family name, while Budhaka was Giridhar’s nickname as called out by local kids due to his grey hair. Mahim was the original place where the shop was established, and Halwawala is significant because of the iconic sweet that originated here.
Why Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala Is So Famous?
Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala is the original sweet shop where the thin, flaky Mahim Halwa, a translucent square of halwa sprinkled with dry fruit, was invented. This iconic sweet shop offers a wide range of sweets and savoury delights, which have been enjoyed by the residents of Mumbai for years.
Image Credits: Google Images
Joshi Buddhakaka Mahim Halwawala also offers other sweets, including anjeer halwa, maharaja halwa, milk cake, ganthia, mavji badam halwa, mango barfi, and ice halwa.
Famous Personalities Who Visited Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala
It is said that Jawaharlal Nehru used to stop by in his car at Joshi Budhakaka Mahim Halwawala. Additionally, the Tata's and Godrejs have also been customers of this iconic sweet shop.
Today, Ramchandra Joshi is currently heading the business and running the original shop along with his two brothers, Sunil and Ghanshyam Joshi. Also, according to the Ramchandra, the reason behind the uniqueness and relevance of the mithais prepared at their sweet shop is the quality of ingredients that go into it.
However, this iconic sweet shop, with its rich tradition and iconic sweets, remains a cherished destination for those seeking a taste of the past in the bustling city of Mumbai.