As an immigrant, I grew up eating home cooked Indian meals like yellow dhal, saag, and aloo gobi. Despite being raised in America, I spent many summers in Punjab with Biji, my grandmother. Together we ate many a delicious home-cooked meal, ate gol-gappa from our favorite street vendor at Rainak Bazaar, and snuck bites of kulfi when the hawkers would stop outside our veranda.

Food is powerful – it's a reminder of your culture and identity. When I got more into camping and backpacking during the pandemic, I felt better mentally. But couldn't find genuine examples of my culture anywhere. The food that existed was bland, boring, and diluted. And none of my South Asian friends were camping, which seemed like a shame when being in nature felt so liberating.

When Biji passed away in 2022, I committed to creating a new relationship with India. I wanted to celebrate my roots while embodying my third-culture experience. I wanted to bring that third-culture experience, my love of Indian food, and my heritage, to the great outdoors.

And so, Panj River was born.

We're here to make and take space in the outdoor industry for the versions of our stories that go beyond generic chai lattes and flavorless dhal. We celebrate our heritage - unapologetically, without compromise - through an exploration of f*cking good Indian food. Food that we would would make Biji proud.

Thanks for being here.