Chandra Vilas: Jodhpur's 78-Year-Old Namkeen House Behind the Legendary Rajasthani Mixture

The first time I bit into a genuine Rajasthani mixture, I knew there was something different about it. It wasn't just crunch and spice — it was balance. Fourteen different namkeens, each one holding its own, none of them fighting the others. Years later, when I traced that packet back to its maker, the story turned out to be even better than the snack.

Meet Chandra Vilas — a Jodhpur namkeen house founded in 1947, the year India became independent, by Shri Prabhu Dayal Ji. While Bikaner gets most of the bhujia glory, the blue city of Jodhpur quietly built one of Rajasthan's most beloved snack brands. Three generations later, Chandra Vilas is still handcrafting namkeen the slow, old-fashioned way — no palm oil, no shortcuts — and now you can order it anywhere in India through BiteBasket.

Founded in 1947: A Freedom-Year Story

Chandra Vilas Namkeen was started by Prabhu Dayal Khandelwal in 1947 — the year India won independence. As their own story puts it, he took a step toward newfound freedom when he founded Chandra Vilas, beginning as a tiny family company with just a few namkeens and sev. What started as a small family shop in Jodhpur has grown into one of Rajasthan's most recognised namkeen names, with a portfolio of over 70 products reaching every corner of the state and feeding millions of people.

Today the brand is led by Govind Narayan and Naveen Khandelwal, who have kept the original recipes and methods intact while building the hygiene and packaging standards that let Chandra Vilas ship across India and beyond.

The 1947 Rajasthani Mixture: 14 Namkeens, One Legend

Every great namkeen house has one hero product. For Chandra Vilas, it's the Rajasthani Mixture — created in 1947 by Prabhu Dayal Ji himself. The story goes that he tested combination after combination before settling on exactly 14 traditional namkeens, blended in fixed proportions, so each one complements the next instead of competing for attention.

That care paid off. In 1950, the Government of Rajasthan recognised the recipe, and the Rajasthani Mixture has been Chandra Vilas's best-selling product ever since. It even picked up honours from FSNM as "Best Traditional Namkeen" and "Best Rajasthani Snack".

What does it taste like? Besan, peanuts, masoor dal, chana dal, rice flakes, curry and mint leaves, mustard, asafoetida, a touch of sugar and lime — crunchy, spiced, with a mild sweet-and-spicy tang running through it. Medium heat: a noticeable kick without being fiery. It's also naturally Jain-friendly (no onion, no garlic), which makes it one of the most gifted packs at Diwali and Holi.

You can grab it in 250g, 500g and 1kg packs — try the Chandra Vilas Rajasthani Mixture (500g) on BiteBasket and see why it's been a best-seller for over seven decades.

Moth Bhujia and the Handmade Difference

Bhujia lovers, this is the part you'll want to hear. Chandra Vilas makes its moth bhujia as a handmade namkeen bhujia — using traditional techniques passed down through generations, with ingredients sourced from around Bikaner itself (moth-mogar dal is famously a Bikaner belt crop). The brand calls its moth bhujia a 250-year-old royal delicacy perfected over generations, and insists none of the big national brands match its handmade quality.

Their Chandra Vilas Bikaneri Bhujia (500g) is the one to start with — crisp, earthy strands with that unmistakable moth-dal depth. If you've only ever eaten mass-market bhujia, this is the packet that shows you what the original tasted like. (For the full story of bhujia's origins, read our history of Bikaneri bhujia.)

Why Chandra Vilas Stands Out: No Palm Oil, Ever

Here's something that matters a lot to us at BiteBasket, and to health-conscious snackers everywhere: Chandra Vilas is free from harmful palmolein oil and palm oil. Their namkeens are made in groundnut or cottonseed oil — the traditional frying mediums of Rajasthan.

Beyond the oil, the brand is known for its clean, well-kept premises and trained staff who maintain high sanitation standards. Every product is packed to high quality requirements so it stays fresh through pan-India shipping — 1–2 months after opening in an airtight container, away from moisture and sunlight.

That combination — old recipes, honest oil, modern hygiene — is exactly why Chandra Vilas has lasted 78 years while countless flashier brands have come and gone.

Must-Try Chandra Vilas Snacks on BiteBasket

With 70+ products, the range can feel overwhelming. Here are the ones worth putting in your cart first:

• Rajasthani Mixture (500g) — the 1947 original, 14 namkeens in one packet. The single best introduction to the brand.
• Bikaneri Bhujia (500g) — handmade moth bhujia with that deep, traditional flavour.
• Dal Moth / Dalmoth Mixture (500g) — the classic dal-sev blend, crunchy and satisfying.
• Besan Sev / Barik Sev (500g) — Jodhpur's fine sev, mildly spiced and perfect for kids and elders alike.
• Mini Bhakarwadi (500g) — sweet-spicy pinwheel bites that disappear embarrassingly fast at tea time.
• Best of Chandra Vilas Combo (Pack of 5, 1.35kg) — the sampler route; ideal if you're trying the brand for the first time or gifting.

Can't decide? Browse the full snack range and build your own mix.

How to Enjoy Chandra Vilas the Rajasthan Way

There's no wrong way to eat good namkeen, but here are a few ideas straight from Rajasthani homes:

• With chai: the Rajasthani Mixture is built for a cup of chai, not a formal meal. That's the intended pairing.
• Sev tamatar sabzi: keep a packet of barik sev handy — stirred into a quick tomato curry, it becomes a wholesome weeknight sabzi. Serve immediately so the sev stays crunchy.
• Festival gifting: the combo packs make excellent Diwali and Holi gifts, especially for Jain families since the mixture has no onion or garlic.
• Travel snacking: sealed, shelf-stable, and satisfying — a 500g pack of bhujia or bhakarwadi is the upgrade your road trip snack bag deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chandra Vilas from?

Chandra Vilas is a Jodhpur-based namkeen brand, founded in 1947 by Prabhu Dayal Khandelwal. It's now led by Govind Narayan and Naveen Khandelwal. Though Jodhpur is its home, its snacks — including handmade Bikaneri-style moth bhujia — are loved across Rajasthan and beyond.

Is Chandra Vilas namkeen palm-oil free?

Yes. Chandra Vilas products are free from palmolein oil and palm oil, made instead in groundnut or cottonseed oil — the traditional Rajasthani frying mediums.

What is the Chandra Vilas Rajasthani Mixture?

It's the brand's signature product, created in 1947: a blend of 14 different traditional namkeens in fixed proportions, recognised by the Government of Rajasthan in 1950. It won FSNM's "Best Traditional Namkeen" and "Best Rajasthani Snack" honours and remains the brand's best-seller.

Is Chandra Vilas suitable for Jain diets?

The Rajasthani Mixture contains no onion or garlic, making it suitable for Jain diets — one reason it's such a popular gifting pick during festivals.

How long does Chandra Vilas namkeen stay fresh?

About 1–2 months after opening, stored in an airtight container away from moisture and direct sunlight. Sealed packs ship pan-India from BiteBasket in fresh condition.

The Bottom Line

Some brands are built on marketing. Chandra Vilas was built on a recipe book from 1947, a commitment to handmade namkeen, and the radical idea of never compromising on oil or ingredients. Seventy-eight years later, it tastes exactly like itself — and that's the highest compliment a snack brand can earn.

Order authentic Chandra Vilas namkeen online at BiteBasket — shipped fresh, pan-India.