On a Fast Track

Ramzan heritage walks serve up a mixed platter of history and food

With the muezzins call at Jama Masjid,the days roza ends and the festivities start in Old Delhi. In these narrow lanes,old traditions,mostly involving food,and local legends,again involving food,stir into life. Ramzan is a time that food acquires a religious meaning and the area is full of secrets such as where and when to find keema samosa. It is also a time to revisit history by stopping by lesser-known monuments of the area. Hence,the popularity of Ramzan heritage walks,in which experts help novices through the complex maze of the area. We compile a few such walks:

Delhi Walks

The Iftar Walk will start at Chawri Bazaar Metro Station,and make its way through Hauz Qazi,Sitaram Bazaar,Chawri Bazaar,Jama Masjid and Matia Mahal. A walk to the bustling zigzag alleyways of Jama Masjid would be meaningless without experiencing the whole process of iftar, says Sachin Bansal,Chief Explorer,Yexplore,which has launched Delhi Walks. He says that everyone who loves food can be a part of the walk. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines are a part of the walk,with food spots selected through a process of trial and error by the Delhi Walks team.

Next Walk: August 6,5.30 pm

Charges: Rs 1,500 for vegetarians; Rs 2,000 for non-vegetarians

Contact: 9711190192

Walk Delhi,an Itihaas Initiative

This walk includes a visit to the home of a family in Old Delhi for a glimpse into their rituals,and an iftar dinner. We are often foreigners in our own country and tourists in our own city. We must know and be a part of what our heritage of festivals and food, says Smita Vats,Founder-Director of Itihaas. The walk will consist of two groups one led by Vats and the other by a student intern of the organisation.

Next Walk: Today,6.25 pm

Charges: Rs 2,000 a person

Contact: 9811227359

Delhi Food Walks

For walk expert Anubhav Sapra,Old Delhi during Ramzan is a foodies delight. We start around 6.30 pm at Kallan Sweets,opposite Gate Number One of Jama Masjid,which makes keema samosa only during Ramzan. By 7 pm,all samosas have sold out, says Sapra. His Iftar Walk also introduces guests to food havens such as Kali Baba ke Kebab,Mota Pahalwan ki biryani (mirch masala biryani) and Taufiq ki biryani (a plain biryani),Aslam Roasted Butter Chicken (unlike the usual Delhi-style butter chicken),Haji Hussain Fried Chicken as well as lots of shahi tukra,rabri and lassi.

Next Walk: August 7,

6.30 pm

Charges: Rs 650 a person

Contact: 9891121333

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram