Daawat-e-iftar in Purani Dilli

As daylight transitions into deep twilight and the evening azaan fills the air, Delhi’s heritage enthusiasts set out in the bylanes of Purani Dilli to experience iftar


"The iftar feast has the spirit of sharing at its core,” shares Ramit Mitra, who has been conducting Ramzan food walks in Old Delhi and Jamia Nagar for over 12 years. From history enthusiasts and photographers to foodies, Ramit shares how the month of Ramzan often becomes a cultural melting pot – bringing faith, food and festivities to the forefront. “In the vibrant alleys around Jama Masjid, the festive energy is unmatched. From bustling markets to the communal breaking of the fast, it’s culture, history, and togetherness at its best,” he adds.

Culture revivalist Abu Sufiyan conceptualised a starlit iftar soiree Dastarkhwan-e-Jahaanuma, along with historian Rana Safvi, on the terrace of a home in Urdu Bazar in the Jama Masjid area. Sufiyan wishes to offer people an experience steeped in heritage and says, “This is a platform to give an overview of culture and shared heritage. It took some time to develop the concept of a starlit soiree with the backdrop of Jama Masjid. The idea is to bring out the authentic cultural experience in terms of tehzeeb, zaika and baat-cheet.”

Some of the dishes that featured in the iftar soiree were fruit chaat – to break the fast, mashrooba – a selection of traditional drinks, shab-e-degh – slow-cooked chicken with roomali roti, haleem, mutton biryani, mutanjan – colourful and sweet saffron rice loaded with dry fruits, kheer, and bakarkhani – a flaky rice bread to complement the kheer

Zaika Ramzan Ka, an iftar walk led by Mujib Khan, begins at Urdu Bazar and culminates with the experience of opening a roza with thousands of others in Jama Masjid. Talking about the experience he wishes to offer, Mujib says, “Sitting in Jama Masjid’s vast courtyard, we discuss the various aspects of Ramzan, while laying the dastarkhwan for a potluck-style iftar, including dates, nuts, fruits and sharbat. Some participants had fasted the whole day to get a sense of what it’s like to observe a roza. As the evening azaan echoes, we experience the spiritual power of the moment, praying together before breaking the fast.”

Sounds, aromas: Iftar gatherings are a sensory experience
Chef Sadaf Hussain, who led the Flavours of Ramadan walk in Old Delhi recently, says, “A month-long festival like Ramzan is a community festival. The idea is to celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Each evening is about rewarding oneself with iftar after a day-long fast, with the community. Iftar walks ek zariya hai iss practice ko samajhne ka. The best part about such an experience is that it celebrates culture, helps understanding people through the food & the practice of fasting. An iftar experience is deeply sensory – people absorb the sights, sounds, and aromas of food, itr and festivity all around.”

From aromatic biryani cooked in the degh and keema samosas to refreshing mohabbat ka sharbat and kheer, the iftar spread is a mix of delectable snacks, drinks and sweets

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