Ramzan, the ‘holy’ month of fasting is the most important period in the Islamic calendar. It is believed that observing a month of fasting from dawn to dusk brings one closer to god.
During Ramzan, the areas surrounding Delhi’s iconic Jama Masjid come alive at night.
Eateries remain open till dawn, and people from across Delhi visit the bylanes of the old city, to take in the fervour of Ramzaan.
Although the shops are shut after the morning prayer, some prefer to spend a few minutes of quiet time inside the mosque even after the prayers are over, for they believe that the Jama Masjid brings peace and solace to the ones sitting there.
The festivity is palpable as the day starts at dawn with people offering the morning prayer or ‘Fajr Namaaz’ and having the morning meal or sehri ahead of a full day of fasting, only to be broken at dusk during iftaar.
The excitement starts after midnight. The streets are decorated with silver buntings and orange lamps. The lanes leading towards the mosque remain crowded and the air is filled with a delicious aroma, that is typical to the special month of Ramzan.
Most agree that the charm of Ramadan’s culinary treats are best enjoyed on the street corners with friends, over a dose of noisy chatter and the hustle and bustle of the street.
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