Among Ahmedabad’s oldest and most renowned paan shops is Maharaja Bel Pan House. Harish Chaurasia, who runs the establishment, told Tobacco Plus that his father founded the business in 1960. In those days, it was a modest little paan shop, far from the grand establishment it is today. The transformation came in 1997, when the family shifted from the old outlet to a much larger and more elegant premises.
Carrying forward the legacy inherited from his father, Harish Chaurasia has taken the family business to new heights. Speaking to Tobacco Plus, he said that customers not only visit the shop with their families to enjoy paan but also get it packed to take home.
The biggest strength of Maharaja Bel Pan House is its uncompromising commitment to quality. Whether or not it yields higher profits, only the finest quality catechu (kattha), lime, areca nut (supari), and other ingredients are used in every paan. Besides its delicious paan, the shop also stocks a wide range of products, including pan masala and cigarettes.
Harish Chaurasia revealed that the shop offers more than five dozen varieties of paan. Among them, Singoda Paan is the highest-selling variety. It is a well-chilled paan, highly appreciated by customers. Chocolate Paan, Ice Cream Paan, and several other specialty paans are also very popular.
The shop serves all three categories of paan plain, sweet, and tobacco paan. One of its defining features is that only branded products are used in every paan, whether it is tobacco, chutney, or kimam. This unwavering commitment to quality significantly enhances the taste and customer experience.
Apart from plain and sweet paan, Zarda Paan enjoys strong demand. According to Harish Chaurasia, Baba 120 and Baghwan 135 are the most popular zarda brands among customers. A Baba 120 Paan is priced at ₹50. Baba Navratna Kimam, Navratna Chutney, and Meenakshi Chutney are also in great demand. However, Harish also prepares his own signature paan chutney, which has become a customer favourite.
The shop offers paan ranging from ₹40 to ₹800. The most expensive paan, priced at ₹800, is specially crafted for special occasions. It is prepared using a unique recipe enriched with a variety of herbs.
Maharaja Bel Pan House opens at 7:00 a.m. and remains open until around 11:00–11:30 p.m. Harish Chaurasia believes that Ahmedabad continues to have a thriving paan culture. Compared to many other Indian cities, paan consumption remains strong in the city. The most popular varieties include plain paan, sweet paan, zarda paan, and chuna paan. He also pointed out that paan prepared with kimam and Navratna chutney is particularly popular among customers.
Responding to a question, Harish Chaurasia shared that several prominent personalities have visited the shop. Former Governor K.K. Viswanathan, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, and cricketer Yuvraj Singh have all enjoyed the shop’s famous paan.
Earlier, Maharaja Bel Pan House used to set up paan stalls at weddings and social events. However, due to the overwhelming rush at the shop itself, it is no longer possible to operate outside stalls. Instead, the business now accepts bulk wedding orders by preparing and supplying packed paan.
The popularity of Maharaja Bel Pan House is evident from the constant stream of customers that begins as soon as the shop opens in the morning and continues late into the night. This enduring success is built on decades of trust, premium-quality ingredients, and exceptional taste. Harish Chaurasia told Tobacco Plus, “We prepare every paan according to our customers’ preferences and requirements.”
More Than Five Dozen Varieties of Paan
With a legacy spanning nearly six decades, Maharaja Bel Pan House has become one of Ahmedabad’s most respected paan destinations. Today, Harish Chaurasia continues to build upon the family tradition established by his father.
The shop offers plain, sweet, and tobacco paan, with more than 60 different varieties available. Every paan is prepared exclusively with branded tobacco, chutneys, kimam, and other premium ingredients, ensuring consistent quality and flavour.
Apart from paan, customers can also purchase pan masala and cigarettes. While Chocolate Paan, Ice Cream Paan, and several other specialty paans enjoy strong demand, Singoda Paan remains the undisputed bestseller because of its refreshing chilled taste.
Among tobacco-loving customers in Ahmedabad, Baba 120 and Baghwan 135 Zarda are particularly popular. A Baba 120 paan is available for ₹50, while Baba Navratna Kimam, Navratna Chutney, and Meenakshi Chutney continue to be customer favourites. The shop’s own homemade paan chutney also has a loyal following.
Prices range from ₹40 to ₹800, making the menu suitable for every budget and occasion. The shop opens at 7:00 a.m. and remains busy until late at night.
According to Harish Chaurasia, Ahmedabad still enjoys a vibrant paan culture where plain paan, sweet paan, zarda paan, and chuna paan remain highly popular. Customers particularly prefer paan prepared with kimam and Navratna chutney.
Many celebrities and distinguished personalities have savoured the flavours of Maharaja Bel Pan House over the years. If you ever visit Ahmedabad, a stop at Maharaja Bel Pan House is a must. The unforgettable taste of its expertly crafted paan, perfected through decades of experience, is sure to leave a lasting impression.