Chawkbazar, Ramadan go hand in hand
The traditional Chawkbazar iftar market during the Ramadan is the largest in the capital. Many city dwellers run to Chawkbazar from different corners to enjoy the delicacies at least for once during the month of fasting.Photo: STAR
Over hundred years old, the Chawkbazar iftar market, the largest iftar market in the capital, attracts hundreds of people from all over the country. Every Ramadan, people gather at the market to buy varieties of iftar items, which are unique in their taste and look. About 1,000 makeshift shops of the market sell items prepared from meat, vegetables, sweets, milk and other ingredients. Some iftar items can be traced back to the Mughal era. The most popular item in the market is “Boro Baper Polay Khay”, which is a mixture of chickpeas, minced meat, potatoes, brains, chira, egg, chicken, spices and ghee. The item is sold at Tk 300 per kg. Other famous items of Chawkbazar iftar market include giant beef and chicken roasts, mutton and chicken outlet, kima roll, kima paratha, borhani and different types of kababs including Suti, Jali, Irani and Tika. Malai cup, firni, tana parathas, plain parathas, nimakpara, doi bora and faluda are some of the rather unusual items that are found in the market. Roasted pigeon, koel, duck, heron and mutton legs also attract people to the traditional iftar market. Besides different seasonal fruits are also available in the market. Prices of most items have been increased from Tk 10 of last year to Tk 50. A businessman of Chittagong Ataullah Arman, who came to Chawkbazar to buy iftar foods, said every year he stays at his sister's house in the capital for a few days to eat iftar bought from the market. The food is delicious and unique from other markets, he said. Afis Hasan Khan, a medical officer of Mitford Hospital, came to buy “Boro Baper Polay Khay” from the market. He said his brother heard about the dish and asked him to buy it. Trader Mohammad Sikandar, who has been selling iftar items in the market for the last 35 years, said his family has been doing business in the market from the British period. “My grandfather sold iftar items in Chawkbazar during British rule, my father in Pakistani and now I do business here with my three sons,” said Sikandar, who expects to make a profit of Tk 1 lakh during Ramadan. He said people from different corners of the country come to buy the items due to their taste, tradition and uniqueness. Traders in other parts of the capital also opened up stalls since the beginning of Ramadan and are selling varieties of iftar items there. Hundreds of makeshift shops mushroomed in different areas of the capital.
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