Every roadside coffee shop and tea stall in Kochi has a unique story behind it. However, the story of Sri Balaji Coffee House, run by KR Vijayan and Mohana (his wife), is truly one-of-a-kind.
If you are rushing through you might have walked or driven past the small tea stall without realising it. Despite the limited income from their tea stall, the couple used their savings to travel to over 25 countries throughout the years. Vijayan and Mohana are known for their relentless passion for travelling. In fact, their story has become so viral that travel dreamers around the world have dubbed them “The Tea Shop Couple.”
Vijayan and Mohana spend their days serving up delicious tea, coffee, and snacks to passersby from their small tea shop known as Sree Balaji Coffee House. They put their soul into their simple recipes and ensure that each of their customers are satisfied with each visit. That is why this tiny tea shop has so many regular customers.
Sree Balaji Coffee House is not just known for its tea and snacks. Vijayan and Mohana’s travel stories are equally legendary. Their regular customers have made a habit of visiting the tea stall to listen to their experiences.
Vijayan and his wife began their travel log in 2007. While running their tea shop, they realised they had saved enough to travel. With their savings, they decided to make their first trip to Israel. That journey ignited a passion for travelling that they have followed diligently for many years.
The couple were determined to see the world, and they used their annual savings from their humble tea stall to fly around the world and visit countries like Russia, France, Egypt, UAE, the US and more.
Being humble, common folk the couple travels for the sake of new experiences. Even after the age of 70, their stories offer a new angle to the art of world travel. Their experiences are an inspiration for anyone who has ever caught the travel bug.
KR Vijayan and Mohana are resilient spirits. They have faced many hurdles along their paths to see the world. Due to their limited savings they have often had to resort to taking small loans to make their trips possible. They have used travel agents to make the most of their trips in a safe and secure manner. However, the pandemic shut the doors to many countries and put a stop to their travel plans.
That didn’t stop them! As soon as borders opened up again, they made their way to Russia to reboot their world tour.
They overcame many hiccups on their travels across the world. However, the largest hurdle came unexpectedly—the death of KR Vijayan. Vijayan’s death marked the end of an era. After 14 years of exciting travel, Vijayan and his wife had taken their final trip to Russia in October 2021.
On November 19, 2021, Vijayan died of a sudden heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Mohana, and his two daughters, Usha and Sasikala. His name will forever be immortalised for his daringness to dream big.
Paulo Coelho once wrote, “...When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” Vijayan and Mohana have conspired and colluded with this universe with such dedication that their names are forever immortalised as a testament to perseverance.
Their story is a tale of resilience and a willingness to overcome their limiting circumstances. The couple’s determination was relatable, and that set off a chain of events that allowed Vijayan and Mohana to explore the world with love and support in their coattails.
In 2015, a filmmaker named Hari M Mohanan read a story about the couple in a newspaper. He made a short film based on their lives, and it gained a lot more traction than the couple expected. A few years later, a YouTube influencer picked up their story and retold it on a larger platform, leading to the humble couple gaining a large digital following.
Their story impressed Anand Mahindra, and he started a crowdfund to help the energetic couple conquer more countries on their quest to travel the world. Believe it or not—the donations came pouring in!
Their story is an inspiration for many travel dreamers around the world, and their journey shares the message that you don’t have to be rich to see the world time and time again. Their story makes you believe that anything is possible.
What’s the best way to commemorate the story of the Tea Shop Couple? We could have gone the traditional route and made a teacup that tells their tale—been there, done that!
We, at MemoryTrain, wanted to do something completely different. We thought about the essence of their journey. Their disciplined approach to diligent savings is what fueled their countless trips around the world. Where can you put your money to save it? The answer was simple and wrapped in the perfect amount of nostalgia—a piggy bank!
Every grand dream you have should start with small investments. This piggy bank will remind you to start saving consciously. A savings habit can go a long way to building discipline. That discipline can help you make your dreams come true—just like it happened for the Tea Stall Couple.
Our piggy bank is cast in resin, and it represents the Sree Balaji Coffee House. In front of the tea stall, KR Vijayan is making tea as his wife stands behind him to serve tasty snacks to their customers. The resin statuette is handpainted and displays their dedication to their passion and their daily lives.
The Tea Shop Couple’s love and support of one another has served them well on their global quests. At MemoryTrain, we believe that this adorable souvenir is a great conversation starter that serves a practical purpose.
But how can this piggy bank serve as a timeless token of their legacy?
With every purchase of this piggy bank, a portion of the proceeds go directly to KR Vijayan’s family—a token to honour their sacrifices and perseverance.
Get yourself our limited edition Tea Shop Couple Piggy Bank from MemoryTrain’s online store to start your journey to saving—for your dreams!
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