Buzz
As Ramadan unfolds in Mumbai, the sacred month of fasting known locally as Ramzan, a historic street beneath the Minara Masjid comes alive with a vibrant nightly food market. Vendors from across the city greet fasting Muslims with grilled delights and sweet treats as they gather to break their fast on this bustling street, now known as a khau galli or “eat street.” Everyone is welcome. Local photographer Hashim Badani, who has frequented this annual gathering for years, captured the essence of the scene for Dinogo.
Monsoon season has arrived in Mumbai, and when the rain pauses, the humidity takes over. "I was drenched either way," Badani shares about the shoot. Crowds of food lovers and Ramadan participants flood the street in a continuous flow, packed as tightly as rush-hour trains. "You can't visit khau galli and stay still," Badani says. "You indulge in rich, fatty foods, but by the time you leave, you've already sweat it off."
While meat dishes like chicken tikka and goat brain masala abound, the true highlights are the sweets, many of which are festival exclusives. At khau galli, celebrants enjoy phirni
As Badani documented the scene, vendors were eager to pose for his camera, generously offering free sweets while ensuring the flow of customers remained smooth. Many of these sellers earn in one night what they will in the next six months, Badani notes.
The market stays open until sunrise, serving everyone from post-work diners to late-night visitors and Muslims grabbing a bite before dawn prayers. During Ramadan, people from all walks of life gather at this part of the city, which they might not normally visit, to experience the khau galli. It’s heartening, Badani says, to see Mumbai’s community come together over food.
Hashim Badani is a photographer based in Mumbai.
