JAIPUR: The lanes and by lanes of the Walled City come alive every evening as the
muezzin calls for azan marking the end of day-long roza with dates and fruits. Soon after, the aroma of mouth-watering delicacies from eateries in the narrow lanes fills the air. Mosques, restaurants and shops are illuminated with colourful lights turning them into festive zones.
The stretch from Choti Chaupar to Badi Chaupar has an eatery at every 10 metres selling special Ramzan delicacies to the visitors. As the holy month of Ramzan enters its last leg, visitors jostle for space till late night for food.
The show-stoppers being nihari and haleem which are available from dusk till
iftar time. The special dishes draw food lovers from across the city.
Rahul Raj, an engineering student along with his ten batch mates, was spotted savouring dishes in the Walled City. He has been visiting the area especially during Ramzan to tingle his taste buds. “My friends sampled nahari, sheermal, chicken Afghani and haleem. I bet nobody had ever had such sumptuous food in their lives. The taste is close to Mughlai food I have been eating in my hometown Aurangabad. It is so tasty and cheap that we ended up overeating,” said Raj.
The entire street gives the impression of a food festival. The delicacies are not limited to non-vegetarian. Even vegetarian can eat their hearts out. To start with, there is kadhai sabzi-puri, phirni, sherbat. Finish it off with mango
kalakand and
paan. These delicacies are only available in the evening till dawn. The food streets paint a true picture of Ramzan nights.
The families socialise with each other, with endless supply of food. The last leg of Ramzan is marked by families inviting each other over for iftars.
Sabiha Naqvi, a resident of Kidwai Nagar, is bust hosting iftar parties and attending the same. “It gives a perfect reason to express our love for those who care for us. Also, we get to spend good time together,” said Naqvi.
It’s great fun when friends get together at a place for several rounds of tea and snacks and spend time till the pre-dawn meal. This is the only time when elders give freedom to the younger ones for night out.
Shahzad Khan, who works in the social sector, takes this opportunity to share and discuss community development work with his friends during night.
“This is the only time in the year when we all friends spend time together. I make sure to discuss with them the importance of education, health and community service,” said Khan.
Meanwhile, those from elite families hold hukkah parties all night at their palatial houses.
The month is incomplete without charity. Every family or individual has to donate 2.5% of his savings and an amount equal to the gold he possesses.
With the month ending soon, families are giving charities to individuals, poor families and NGOs.
The lanes and by lanes of the Walled City come alive every evening