Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (TISI) Fiji yesterday laid the foundation for a $500,000 vegetarian restaurant.

The new restaurant will be built within the boundary of the Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi Town.

TISI general secretary Damend Goundar said the restaurant, which would be air conditioned, would offer the best of South Indian vegetarian cuisine for devotees and visitors who visit the temple.

TISI Sangam general secretary Damend Gounder performing the bhoomi pooja laying ceremony for the vegetarian restaurant to built at Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (TISI) Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi. Photo: Charles Chambers.

“It will have a sitting capacity of 60 to 80 people and a modern kitchen when it opens in July,” Mr Goundar said.

The building will also house a souvenir shop for people to buy gifts and a resting place for those who visit the temple.

“The single storey restaurant will be 480 square metres and built high to avoid being inundated by flood waters during the rainy weather,” Mr Goundar

“It will sell a variety of vegetarian cuisine with South Indian flavour.

“We intend to employ an overseas chef for this restaurant with the rest made up of local workers.

“There would be a big car park area so there is no problem with finding space to park,” he said.

He said the prices for meals would be affordable.

The temple sees an average of around close to 1000 devotees and visitors weekly.

LJK Holdings Contractors have been awarded the tender to build the restaurant.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa.

Feedback:  charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj