By Anadolu staff
NEW DELHI (AA) – In Ramadan, as the grand Jama Masjid glows against the night sky, the historic streets of Old Delhi come alive for a celebration of food, culture, and community.
People from all corners of the Indian capital – and the country – gather here to enjoy an array of traditional dishes, from succulent kebabs and fragrant biryanis to refreshing sherbet and desserts, a true taste of Old Delhi’s culinary heritage.
The rush starts before iftar, the evening meal with which Muslims break their daily fast, and continues deep into the night, with the streets teeming with life until suhur, the pre-dawn meal before fasting resumes.
Strings of twinkling lights illuminate the pathways, while the air is filled with the aromas of Mughal delicacies, Afghan specialties, and Turkish delights.
“This place brings together families, friends, and visitors from all over. They all want to experience the special spirit of Ramadan in this historic place,” said Amaan, 20, who runs a Turkish kebab shop near the Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan nearly 400 years ago.
“We’re truly blessed to have this Ramadan experience. Every night, the streets are packed with people eager to taste our food, and the atmosphere is just so unique.”
The lively, festive atmosphere continues into the late hours, which people like Mohammad Shadab, 30, a lifelong resident of Old Delhi, describe as “Ramadan ki rounaq” – the unique energy and spirit of the Muslim holy month.
“The market stays open all night long. We’ve decorated the market with lights to celebrate, and it’s truly special,” said Shadab, whose family has been running a bakery in Old Delhi for six decades.
For many, the appeal of Jama Masjid during Ramadan goes beyond the food to deep-rooted traditions and a shared sense of belonging.
Mohammad Iqbal, a university student visiting from the eastern Indian state of Bihar, expressed his excitement: “As Ramadan approached, we were eager to visit Jama Masjid and experience all this food and culture. The lights, the energy, the happiness – it’s incredible to be here.”
- Food fervor all night
Just like the Jama Masjid area, other Muslim neighborhoods in New Delhi burst into life at night during Ramadan.
One such place is Zakir Nagar, a southeastern locality known for having one of the city’s best food streets that has, over the years, become a go-to spot for iftar and suhur.
Before Ramadan begins, shopkeepers collaborate to decorate the streets with colorful string lights, adding to the festive feel. This year, social media platforms like Instagram have been flooded with reels showcasing the dazzling lights, packed streets, and a variety of food stalls selling everything from “Galawati kebabs” – a specialty from Lucknow – to steaming cups of tea.
“You’ll find every kind of dish here,” Khateeb Tihami, a Zakir Nagar market union member and garment shop owner, told Anadolu.
While the market typically closes at 11 p.m. (1730 GMT), those timings go out the door during Ramadan.
“It’s open until suhur. This benefits even the non-food businesses like mine because the night market attracts so many visitors,” he said.
Walking through the streets, it feels like an endless food festival, with tempting aromas swirling all around.
“I came from far just to experience this,” said Muqaram Ali, originally from Amroha, a city in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. “The food here is legendary and the atmosphere is amazing.”
Abdul Qadir, a student at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia university, echoed the sentiment: “There are so many incredible dishes to try, it’s hard to pick just one. The vibe here is unmatched.”
- From politics to culture
A few kilometers away, another bustling neighborhood, Shaheen Bagh, offers a similar Ramadan experience, with its lively food street along Chaalis Futta Road now a major culinary hotspot, attracting food lovers from across the city.
However, recently, Shaheen Bagh was known more for its political significance, gaining national attention in 2019-20 when it became the center of a historic protest against India’s controversial citizenship law.
The months-long sit-in movement, led mostly by women, became a symbol of resistance. In the years since, Shaheen Bagh has reinvented itself, and today, it stands out as a thriving food district, especially during Ramadan.
Some of Delhi’s best-known eateries have opened branches here, further elevating its status as a food lover’s paradise. The streets are buzzing with energy, featuring food stalls offering everything from crispy kebabs to saffron-infused biryanis, while the scent of fresh tea fills the air.
“Shaheen Bagh is famous all over India,” said Rizwan Akhtar, a resident of Noida, a satellite city of Delhi. “The vibe, the lights, the food – it’s all incredible. I come here almost every night during Ramadan for iftar and suhur.”