Zakaria St Ramzan bazaar turns heritage walk zone

Kolkata: During Ramzan, Zakaria Street off Rabindra Sarani and its surrounding lanes draw large crowds — not only for their landmarks and food stalls but also for a growing number of heritage walks that are becoming a seasonal attraction in this pocket of the city.Organised around sehri, the pre-dawn meal, and iftar, when devotees break their fast, these walks bring together foodies, history enthusiasts, and first-time visitors for a broader cultural experience. This year, the trend has become more prominent, with several organisers, even from other cities, conducting heritage walks through Zakaria Street. These community-led walks offer participants a chance to experience the traditional delicacies, as well as the layered social and cultural life of one of central Kolkata's busiest Ramzan destinations.For Aritra Sen (29), visiting Zakaria Street is "more than a food walk". "The entire neighbourhood changes during Ramzan. From food to history to conversations, there is something for everybody. The place has its own rhythm. I have been coming here every year for the past five years," the south Kolkata resident said. He was part of a heritage walk on Sunday.Among the biggest attractions on these routes are the iconic Nakhoda Mosque, rows of ittar shops, bakeries dishing out seasonal favourites, and stalls selling traditional sweets and vermicelli, traditionally available during Ramzan. Many visitors also spend time simply soaking in the atmosphere by navigating the packed lanes, watching families shop late into the night, or breaking bread with the devotees inside Nakhoda Mosque.For others, the appeal lies in the social exchange the walks encourage. "I came with friends because we wanted to experience the area and learn more," said Nandita Roy, a PG student who attended an iftar walk last week. "The person conducting the walk spoke about fasting, tradition, and the significance of this month. It felt more like sharing space than tourism."Walk organisers say the interest has steadily increased in recent years. "Zakaria Street during Ramzan is not just a food destination. It is a living cultural corridor," said heritage walk curator Sohail Khan, who led evening groups this season. "People want to understand the history of the mosque, the old trading links, the seasonal food culture, and the spirit of the month. We are seeing participants from diverse backgrounds, and that makes the experience richer."Locals welcome the development. "This is a very good trend," said Mohammed Aslam, who owns an ittar shop on Rabindra Sarani. "It helps people understand each other's culture and starts conversations that usually do not happen in daily life."