Prayer, fasting & feasting spice up nightlife on Ramzan

JAIPUR: The night life in the Sufi shrine of Ajmer transforms into the spiritual-cum-food zone. The day begins at dusk with the loud sound of a cannon fire from the top the Tara Hill which marks the breaking of the day-long fast. It follows the outpouring of devotees for Nawaz and Zikr (recitation of hymns) inside the illuminated marble floored shrine. The foodies head for the surrounding market offering traditional delicacies to hold on the night. The night comes to the full circle with the loud sound of a canon at 5 am signalling the devotees to begin the 16 hour day-long fast. The practice of cannon fire during Ramzan and on Friday prayers started since the Mughal emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century.
From an eight-year-old to the 80-year-old, the nightlife offers various activities to hold. The children and teenagers engage in never-ending conversations to the elders who spend time praying inside the decorated shrine.
Syed Danish Chishti, a first-year student of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK has arrived at his hometown to spend the last 10 days of Ramzan with his family and friends.
“Ramzan is the most important time in a year allow us to socialise with our families and friends over iftaar. This is a sole reason that I came little early to attend such gatherings especially during the night,” said Chishti.
For elders seeking solace in Zikr which happens at several places during the night gives them an inner experience of peace. "The chanting on hymns in the serene peace till late in the night nourishes our soul. Our elders say that if Ramzan purifies your body, the recitation of Quranic hymns nourishes your soul," said Syed Mehraj Chishti, a khadim at the shrine.
The night is incomplete without savouring the food. Shabbir Khan, owner of a Khawaja Gharib Nawaz restaurant works throughout the day to meet the demand for delicacies like Mutton Nahari, Nalli Paya, Korma and Stew.
"Our work cycle changes upside down during Ramzan. During the day, we spent preparing for dishes while after dusk the challenge was to meet the expectations of all clients," said Khan.
Other than food and spirituality, the Ramzan nights are incomplete without animated discussions on topics like new government, the future of Muslims in India to a take on rising tensions between the US and Iran. Rais Khan, a local scribe, holds a gathering of upcoming politicians, a social activist at Tripolia Gate giving them a round up on the important events happening in India and globe.