Come Ramzan, the bylanes of Hindpiri transform into a foodie’s dream. The drifting aroma of kebabs cooked on a low fire fills your senses as you walk down the winding streets right on Main Road of Ranchi. Lined along the streets are small shops that sell everything from fancy attars (fragrances) to intricately designed skullcaps. But it is the 40-odd shops with huge piles of lachcha or sewai (vermicelli) that catch the eye. “We have everything from kesar sewai to plain ghee sewai. Several bigger brands have started packaging the Ramzan delicacy, but the demand for the locally made variety is high,” says Khurshid Ali, a seller.The crowd starts swelling at around 3 pm in the afternoon. While Ramzan shopping begins in the afternoon, people await the iftaar in the evening. From warm bowls of haleem to generous servings of lachcha laced with dry fruits, there is something for everyone in the market.Farhat Sanober, 20, is a regular visitor to the shops almost every afternoon. “I am a student preparing for banking entrance exams. This is my second Ramzan away from home and I visit Hindpiri before iftaar to buy bread and kebabs. I even had a few meals at the eateries here, but I prefer getting food packed for iftaar at my hostel.”It is not just the food that steals your heart. From shiny bangles and colourful scarves to the extensive variety of handicraft items, the glitzy shops are a treat for the eyes.“The Eid bazaar is at its best during the final week of Ramzan. My biggest-selling product is the kesar lachcha, which is locally made. The sweet bread, or bakarkhani, is another raging hit,” said Osama Ali, a seller. “This bread is called bakarkhani. Though it is a little sweet, it goes very well with savoury dishes when you break the fast after starving all day. It is the best component of the evening iftaar. The dry fruit variety sells for Rs 45 per piece during Ramzan and it can feed one person easily,” said another seller.If you are in the mood for a quick snack, the small shops have everything from soothing rose-flavoured drinks to pakodas to satiate your hunger pangs.The local bakeries also do huge business in Hindpiri during Ramzan. From bite-sized fruit cakes to a varying platter of sweet breads, bakeries churn up a host of items for the Ramzan platter.One special place to grab a bite during the evening iftaar feast is Cafe Mughal on Main Road. The eatery, which offers free iftaar to everyone, welcomes all with open arms every evening throughout Ramzan.“I have been observing roza for two years now. I believe it helps me gain inner strength. I do my iftaari at Mughal’s every time. They serve iftaari as a token of respect during the holy month of Ramzan,” said Vaibhav Prakash, a law professional who observes Roza for the entire month of Ramzan.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.