Ramadan: A shift from dried dates in mosques to festive evenings in costly restaurants

By Hirra Azmat

Srinagar, May 20: In Kashmir Valley, Ramadan has turned into a month of evening festivities characterised by vibrant assemblies at Iftar parties that are focused on food savoured with religious or political conversations.
These days, some of the best meals are offered in hotels, restaurants and eateries at sundown to the believers for breaking their daylong fast. And it is unlike the tradition that required the Muslims in the vale to have water or dried dates served at home or in the mosques as their first meals of the day.
In the neatly trimmed lawns of The Lalit Grand Palace at Boulevard here, people queue up for their share of the Iftar spread: dates, variety of fresh-fruit juices, aromatic Continental dishes, Arabian cuisines, Ramadan-themed sweets, honey-stacked Baklava, or a platter of saffron-smelling Wazwan.
It is the five-star hotel’s menu for the entire holy month, and its Chief Chef, Basanth Kishor, believes that such Iftar meals evolve a sense of togetherness and belonging.
“Our Iftar-special dishes come in various kinds, and aficionados have their own preferences. We hope to make this month extra special through our foods,” he said.
The view is usually similar ay the Parsa’s food joint inside the Sarah City Center, where all chairs remain occupied with the central table carrying the best on the Iftar menu. And the chirpy foodies look forward to breaking their fasts.
Parsa’s offers a range of dishes such as chicken or mutton korma, chicken biryani, and chicken tikka masala, served with varieties of rice. The place also offers free meals for Iftar to over 50 people daily.
“We add the things that people like in Ramadan, like Gravy and rice items. And not to forget the sweets,” Javed Parsa, Owner and Managing Director at Parsa’s, said.
“Due to fasting, the people change their eating timings and habits. Apart from changing our serving hours, we always try to introduce new things in this month.”
The food joint, he said, makes arrangement for those who cannot afford to miss their Namaz at Iftar.
At 7C’s Café and Dine, dishes are arranged on the glass-topped tables tastefully every evening in Ramadan.
The butlers, clad in smart black uniform, carry the special Iftar cuisines to the tables.
The restaurant, in Sangarmal mall, has some special Ramadan additions including fresh-fruit platters, juices, soups, chicken biryani, tikka, and daniwal Korma.
“We have been seeing a very good response since the last Ramadan. People in good numbers come to have food here in this month. This year, we are also planning to host Iftar parties, so that the people get a chance to relish their favourite foods,” said the Manager.