Photo Story: A walk in the Ramadan night bazaar at Charminar and Laad Bazaar by @desitraveler While the politicians squabble over the future of Hyderabad, Hyderabadis were fasting and shopping during Ramadan. The area around Charminar has a special significance during Ramazan, as there is a special Night Bazaar for Ramazan that keeps open till 2-3 am to cater to the shopping frenzy of Hyderabadis in the night. I was to meet my friends from GHAC for Ramazan near the Purani Haveli and then walk all the way to Charminar enjoying the street food, Irani Chai ( a special Hyderabad style tea with origins in Persia or Iran) and shopping, but the old city had other plans for me. As there are a lot of traffic restrictions in the area we decided to hire a cab and go to the old city. I am unable to say what route the cabbie followed but we straight reached one end of the famous Laad Bazaar or the Bangle market on one of the arteries leading to Charminar. We got down from the cab once traffic was no longer allowed and started walking toward Charminar.
Charminar as seen from Lad Bazaar So the kids and their mom bought bangles from the world-famous Laad Bazaar and they bought enough to gift half of our relatives as Missus thought they were almost half the prize from anywhere else in the city. There were bangles in every color, size, design and shape, ok not shape because all the bangles I saw were round As for me I was just enjoying being lost in the sea of humanity that has been coming to Charminar during Ramazan for generations, for whom coming to Night market during Ramazan comes naturally.
Night Market Streets of the Night Market The shopkeepers were calling loudly in Hyderabadi
Madam/ Sir, have a look, no price for looking knowing very well that once somebody looks at the glittering bangles or smelled the heavenly Attar ( perfume), it is impossible to keep money in pocket. So quickly money exchanged hands and my back pack started becoming heavier with every shop we visited. Dekhne ka koi paisa nahin- Please have a look- No Price for seeing
Try These bangles Laad Bazaar Charminar Colourful Bangles in the Night Market
I sell caps, but I also pose for tourists Now while Hyderabad is famous for Haleem during Ramazan, this did not stop this Dosa Stand doing brisk business. So don t worry if you are a vegetarian like me, you will still have enough for choice to spoil your taste buds.
Enough Choice for Veggies or in local lingo- Ghaas Phoos Khane walon ke liye Not only the Dosa wala, but also the Bhutta wala (Corn on the Cob Indian version heated on open flames of charcoal) was doing brisk business.
desi Style Corn on the cob or Bhutta/ Challee- take your pick Aayiye Jenab: Welcome Sir- Seviyan for dessert
Mithai Minar or a Tower of Sweets For sweets we had this guy with his tower of Sweets, trying to compete with Charminar in height. We have never experienced Old Hyderabad like this before, the whole Charminar, Laad Bazaar, Patthergatti Road all the way to to Mecca Masjid is blocked for vehicular traffic during Night Bazaar for Ramazaan, but two wheeler riders continue to roam freely creating a nuisance for pedestrians.
Attar Bottles for sale, along with gift boxes We started walking towards Medina, but the charm of the Ramadan Night Market were so that we could barely cover half the distance as we were stopping at every shop, bandi ( kiosk) checking the goods on offer. So we could cover only 1/10 of the distance when the kids got tired and we had to call it a night with Old Hyderabad just warming up.
Bulbs illuminating a bandi or kiosk at Night Bazaar Charminar Colors of Hyderabad India While coming back, I saw this huge crown to be offered for Bonalu, to Devi Maa (Mother Goddess), being carried on a mini
truck, when it passed in front of a Masjid the colors of Bonalu and the glowing Minaret of Mosque merged. For me that is the true essence of the fusion culture of Hyderabad, living and celebrating together the common heritage of hundreds of Years. I think this essence of Old Hyderabad is what makes the Attar sold in miniature bottles near Charminar so special.what could be more fragrant than the culture distilled over hundreds of years by generations of Hyderabadis? Essence of Hyderabad in Attar Bottles Tips for Visiting Ramazan Night Market at Charminar: Better to park at a distance and walk, you will get parking near Salarjung Museum, Purani Haweli and near Osmania Medical College Koti, then walk. Or you can hire a cab/auto if you do not want to struggle for parking. Points to Remember: Do not drink alcohol and visit the Night Market during Ramazan time, remember it is holy month and people are fasting. It is absolutely safe to visit the night
market and most of the folks are smiling and welcoming you to try their stuff ranging from Bangles to Attar, Caps, artificial Jewelry, street food etc. Just be careful with your jewelry and pockets as there could be pickpockets around like any crowded market anywhere in the world. Please do not click pictures without taking permission, more so of ladies and kids. Dress Code: During Ramadan, it is suggested to dress conservatively respecting the local traditions, Kurta Pyjama for men and Salwar Suit for ladies is what is suggested. Ramadan or Ramazan: I have seen both spellings on internet and this is what I have understood: In Arabic countries the spelling used is Ramadan, and in Indian Subcontinent Ramazan is more prevalent. In this post you will find both as I was not sure which one to use. But in Hyderabad most of my friends spell as well as say Ramazan. If you have liked this post, the please feel free to subscribe by email, like this post and share it with your friends on Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter and Google+. Pics: This article has been republished from the author s blog with prior permission.