Pune (Maharashtra) [India]: Hotel Darshan proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary (1976–2026) at its Prabhat Road location. Founded by Mr. Sital Ahuja under the mentorship of Mr. Laljibhai Thakkar, founder of the legendary Dwarika Restaurant, Darshan’s golden jubilee marked not just a business milestone, but a tribute to five decades of integrity, consistency, and commitment.
The celebration commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by some of Darshan’s longest-serving employees—individuals who have dedicated 30 to over 40 years of service. The ceremony was accompanied by the ‘Sukhakarta Dukhharta’ Aarti rendered by Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar. This was a nostalgic homage to 1976, when the restaurant’s workday began at 4:00 PM with the very same Aarti playing—symbolizing devotion, discipline, and gratitude from day one. What began as a modest juice bar has, over the decades, evolved into a multi-cuisine vegetarian destination offering over 150 dishes.
“Our journey was built step by step, with no shortcuts,” said Founder Mr. Sital Ahuja. “From personally hand-picking vegetables at dawn to ensuring the use of real ingredients instead of artificial or synthetic flavors, our focus has always been purity and honesty in what we serve.”
A standout moment of the evening was the reunion of the “Bandhus”—former team members from 1976 to 1984 who were part of Darshan’s pioneering ‘Earn and Learn’ initiative. Long before such concepts were formalized, Mr. Ahuja created opportunities for students from underprivileged backgrounds to fund their education through structured three-hour work shifts. Customers were respectfully required to address them as ‘Bandhu’ (meaning brother), and tipping was consciously discouraged to preserve dignity and equality.
Today, many of these former Bandhus hold senior professional positions across industries. They returned to Darshan’s golden jubilee not merely as guests, but as living testimonials to a value system that placed dignity before commerce. Their emotional recollections and gratitude formed the heart of the evening.
Now guided by the second generation—Kunal and Vishakha Ahuja—alongside Sital and Lavina Ahuja, Hotel Darshan remains a rare establishment where four generations of families have dined. For many patrons, Darshan is not just a restaurant, but an extension of home. Kunal and Vishakha’s focus remains on standardizing and consistently delivering the same taste and experience that Darshan’s patrons have cherished for decades. Nearly eight years ago, they expanded the legacy with a second branch in Baner, extending the same ethos and culinary consistency to another part of Pune. As Hotel Darshan steps into its next chapter, it does so with the same founding principles—purity in ingredients, dignity in service, and an unwavering commitment to community. Fifty years on, Darshan stands not merely as a restaurant, but as a legacy institution woven into the cultural fabric of Pune.
