Overview:
Diya Royal is the first combined ‘Indian and Nepalese (Gurkha)’ restaurant in Bedford. Foods are derived from traditional Indian and Nepalese cuisine where the dishes are cooked in the authentic style of India and Nepal.
The food philosophy is driven by a desire to present the expansive Indian repertoire, bursting with flavour and originality including Nepalese, British and Indo-Chinese food as a new dining experience.
Having the top class and WELL EXPERIENCED chefs from India and Nepal who were working at 5 star hotels and restaurants in India, Dubai, Nepal and London for many years we believe our food is one of the best in the area.
Diya Definition:
A small cup-shaped traditional oil lamp usually made of baked clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oil. Clay Diyas are often used temporarily as lighting for special occasion like Diwali and other religious festivals in India and Nepal. Diya represents holiness, purity and delight.
Brief History of the Gurkhas:
“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you” Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931
“Better to die than be a coward” is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army. They still carry into battle their traditional weapon – an 18-inch long curved knife known as the Khukuri.
The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal – Sam Manekshaw, once stated that “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815. In the Peace Treaty it was agreed that Gorkhalis could be recruited to serve under contract in the East India Company’s army.
Following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain meant four Gurkha regiments from the Indian army were transferred to the British Army, eventually becoming the Gurkha Brigade.
Since then, the Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them.
More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, and in the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo and now in Iraq and Afghanistan.