I reached Shirdi from Mumbai by bus at 2:30 pm and by 2:40 pm I was in the hotel.

After freshening up, I decided to skip the afternoon meal and had a walk around Shirdi.

Not far from the hotel, I saw Yewale Amruttulya – Pune’s famous tea brand, since 1983.

* Yewale – The surname, Amruttulya – Amrut (nectar), tulya (comparable).

The spacious shop is near Shree Chavadi.

Yewale Amruttulya is a known brand in Mumbai. Opposite Bombay Dyeing at Worli, I have visited this shop many times and had a cup of tea with friends. I was aware of the quality of the tea – which is excellent and the price – per cup was Rs. 10 only.

Immediately, I decided to have a cup of tea.

The taste of the tea was as similar to I had in Worli. No change i.e., excellent. They maintain similar quality at all branches/franchises.

The only difference – at Worli before the lockdown, they serve tea via their own cup having Yewale Amruttulya printed but here in Shirdi due to the pandemic (COVID-19), they are serving tea via plastic cups.

What I like the most about Yewale Amruttulya: The quality/taste/color of the tea and the cleanliness/hygiene in-around the shop. One can also watch the tea preparation as it is viewable for customers.

I had two cups of tea.

Motto (displayed): In the next ten years, to start & run successfully 2500 branches across India & around the world.

Best Wishes! You will.

The next day, walking around the Saibaba temple area, I saw Tea Canteen by Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi.

And the cost:

Tea – Rs. 2 only, Coffee – Rs. 3 only and Milk – Rs. 3 only. Subsidized rates. Good for the needy and even for us sometimes.

I requested coffee but was not available thus, I requested a cup of tea.

The tea taste was different from Yewale Amruttulya but had its own value i.e., quality & taste.

During four days stay, numerous times I had tea at Yewale Amruttulya (especially early morning hours) and at Tea Canteen during evening hours.

Yewale Amruttulya opens from 5:30 am to 11 pm and the Tea Canteen is 24 hours open.

I am a tea lover (without sugar) though I am not diabetic. At home, I prepare tea myself thus, when I am on tour I wish to taste the best tea in town/city no matter if it is with sugar. Every town/city always has a famous tea point.

I suggest: if you – The devotees visiting Shirdi, visit the shop as well as canteen.

Please note: Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi also runs Prasadalaya – 1 km from the temple. There they provide Prasad for FREE and at a Subsidized rate. I visited thrice and had delicious Prasad.

* Marathi to English translation by – Rahul Patil – a dear friend from Pune, Maharashtra.