Purani Dilli- and the flavours of Ramzaan

The dusk is arriving, men and women are running with last last-minute packed confectionaries, the famous Mohabbat ka sherbet is being cooled with one more plank of ice, the soft kebabs are getting one more shade of sizzle, it is iftar time at Puraani Dilli’s Matia Mahal. Small groups in skull caps have taken their place on the table, praying to Allah to accept their fast. As a ritual, all business is halted for some minutes starting from Maghrib Ki Azaan until the rozedaars(fasting devotees) have broken their fast. Visitors from across Delhi and NCR who have come here to have a taste of the Mughaliya dishes wait eagerly for the restaurants to open. What follows is a memorable gastronomic experience.

Spread in front of the majestic Jama Masjid, Matia Mahal is like a long dastarkhwan(feast) aligned with authentic Mughaliya cuisine. Every night during Ramzaan is a festival in itself here. The streets are decorated with shiny streamers and colourful lanterns. People from all over Delhi flock here to revel in this celebration and enjoy flavoursome sheermal, kebab, nihari, biryani and mouth-watering desserts.

Also read | Best restaurants in Delhi to have Iftaari

We would suggest the food lovers go there themselves, but until then, here is a visual tour of Matia Mahal during Ramzaan for our viewers-