PUNE: In the bustling heart of Pune, where food trends vanish as quickly as they appear, one name has stood the test of time, proving that honesty is the secret ingredient to longevity. This year, Darshan, the city’s beloved vegetarian institution, celebrates its Golden Jubilee—a 50-year odyssey that began in 1976 with a single dream and a manual juice extractor.
Founded by Sital Ahuja under the mentorship of Mr. Laljibhai Thakkar (of the legendary Dwarika Restaurant), Darshan wasn’t born out of a corporate strategy, but out of grit. “I thought food would be an easy business,” Mr. Ahuja reminisces with a smile. The reality was a masterclass in effort: early morning trips to Mandai market and opening the shutters and closing it late in the night. What started as a modest juice bar has blossomed into a multi-cuisine destination serving over 150 dishes, proving that organic growth, though slow, is the most resilient.
A Legacy of Health and Heart
While the menu expanded from juices to international flavors adapted for the Puneri palate, the core philosophy remained “uncompromising quality.” In an era of additives, Darshan remains a sanctuary for the health-conscious. The restaurant famously maintains a strict No MSG, no synthetic flavours, and no preservatives policy.
From in-house potable ice to stainless steel juice extractors that ensure hygiene without peeling fruit, every detail is handled with a hygene mindset. It is this trust that brings generations of Pune families back, seeking that specific, nostalgic taste of childhood that remains unchanged by time.
The People Behind the Plate
The 50th-anniversary milestone is as much about the family as it is about the food. The transition to the second generation—Kunal and Vishakha—in 2014 brought a new era of standardization and expansion, leading to a successful second branch of Baner in 2018.
However, the heartbeat of Darshan lies in its staff—a rare “human interest” story in the hospitality world. The restaurant provides a livelihood for nearly 300 families, including a unique generational bond with the village of Gangdwar in Bihar, where almost every household has a member working at Darshan or their other venture ‘Just Casuals’.
“Our staff is our greatest pride,” says the family. “We have team members like Vincent, our manager, who has been with us for 45 years. When you see fathers and sons working together here, you realize Darshan isn’t just a business; it’s a family.”
A Golden Future
As the Ahuja family celebrates this emotional milestone, they credit the “quiet strength” of Lavina Ahuja, whose support allowed the business to thrive and diversify into a retail garment empire of 12 stores by the name ‘Just Casuals’.
Today, Darshan stands as a testament to the fact that when you serve “something hatke” with warmth and honesty, the city doesn’t just become your customer—it becomes your community. As the shutters go up for the 50th year, the aroma of fresh, chatpata food continues to tell the story of a dream that refused to take shortcuts.
