Shaista Fatima/New Delhi

Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, requires Muslims worldwide to observe fast from dawn till dusk. While Middle Eastern countries start observing fast on Thursday, Indians would start observing it on Friday. The exact start date of Ramazan varies from country to country and is determined by the sighting of the new moon.

Meanwhile, the streets of the localities with a Muslim population in Delhi are hustling and bustling.

The traffic on the streets of Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Head, and Tikona Park

Many men in quintessential white kurta pyjamas and skull caps were seen shopping for fruits and dates for iftar on the Okhala Head, Tikona Park, and Shaheen Bagh streets.

People stocking up on dates for Ramazan

Women clad in different shades of burqa were seen enjoying street food on the streets of Shaheen Bagh.

Some were overheard saying, "Tarawih kahan kahan ho rahi hai (What all places are the Tarawih prayers happening)?", "Khajoor le liye Iftar ke liye(have you bought the dates for iftar)?", "Shopping karli (Is the shopping done)?"

Tarawih is the special prayer where the chapters of the Quran are recited. The number of chapters recited each day differs from mosque to mosque while dates are the pre-requisite to open the fast at dusk, many even eat it during dawn. While the religious scriptures call eating dates a sunnah (preachings of the Prophet), the scientific reasons claim dates to be rich in many minerals and vitamins. 

Eating joints at Shaheen Bagh's 40 foota road are filled with people from all corners of life

The 40 foota road at Shaheen Bagh was seen packed with connoisseurs of food, from Nahari to Mandi, people flocked at all corners to enjoy food before going into a rigorous fast from Friday.

Outlets at Shaheen Bagh serving Hyderabadi Biryani and Arabic Mandi

In the past two years, the locality of Shaheen Bagh has bloomed and is now termed "Mini Old Delhi". Earlier the locals flocked near the lanes of Jama Masjid but now they prefer shopping and eating near their houses.

With more and more of Old Delhi's famous food junctions opening branches on the 40 foota road, the masses are now served dishes from all over India including some famous Arabic and Afghani ones. 

A recent attraction at Shaheen Bagh is the Kashmiri restaurant Wazwan

The recent attraction is the Kashmiri wazwan restaurant which serves dishes like Gostaba, Nadru, Roghan Josh, and Yakhini at reasonable prices. Some folks who were on the lookout for an eatery junction were overheard saying, "Aaj kashmir hi chalte hain, kal se wese bhi Roza hai (Let's eat at the Wazwan restaurant, anyways we will be fasting from tomorrow)."

Old Delhi's fried chicken shops now have an outlet at Shaheen Bagh 

The origins of Ramazan date back to the seventh century, when the Prophet received the first verses of the Quran during this month. The revelation of the Quran began on the 27th night of Ramazan, which is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power.

This night is believed to be the most sacred night of the year, and Muslims consider praying on this night to be more valuable than praying for a thousand months. Each country will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on April 21 or 22, depending on the moon sighting.