Khulna's iftar markets bustling with crowds

Iftar markets across the city are witnessing a huge rush every day during the holy month of Ramadan as city dwellers flock to makeshift roadside stalls and hotels to buy their favourite ready-made iftar items.

Soon after Zuhr prayers, the makeshift haleem shop on South Central Road, well-known as 'Nana Haleem,' turns into a bustling hub for fasting Muslim devotees.

On Thursday afternoon, while visiting the area, this reporter saw two large pots of traditional haleem placed on the footpath in front of the Government Pioneer Women's College, where customers were queuing to buy iftar items, including 'Nana Haleem'.

A large bowl of 'Nana haleem' is selling at Tk 1,200 while the smallest quarter-box portion is priced at Tk 100.

Akhlak Hossain, a resident of the city's Boyra area, came to Nana Haleem's stall specifically for its unique taste. "We usually prepare iftar at home, but for items like haleem and Jilapi, we sometimes visit these mobile stalls. Nana Haleem has a distinct flavour that sets it apart from the others," he added.

Talking to BSS, Md Hazrat Ali, owner of 'Nana Haleem', said, "I have been selling this haleem every Ramadan since 1992. There are no adulterants in my haleem, that's why it is so popular."

A tour around the city revealed a vibrant iftar market in full swing, with vendors calling out to customers and a colourful array of mouth-watering dishes on display. People from all walks of life were seen browsing different stalls and selecting their favourite items.

Besides Khulna's traditional iftar hotspots, new bustling markets have emerged this year, including the Zia Hall premises at Shibbari Square, a lively iftar hub in the city.

Key iftar market locations in the city include Dakbangla intersection, Sonali Bank Square, Ferry Ghat intersection, Picture Palace, Power House, Moylapota, Shibbari, South Central Road, Shantidham, Boyra Bazar, and Gollamari Bridge areas. Seasonal vendors have set up stalls along almost every street, offering a wide variety of iftar delicacies.

Popular iftar items such as piyaju, beguni, meat chops, samosa, potato chops, puffed rice, egg chops, vegetable fritters, chickpeas, haleem, kababs, naan, paratha, rolls, chicken fry, jilapi, faluda, and lacchi are being sold at these bustling markets.

The price of iftar items varies from vendor to vendor. Chickpeas are selling at Tk 150-160 per kilogram, piyaju and beguni at Tk 5-10 per piece, potato chops at Tk five per piece, large egg chops at Tk 15-20 per piece, kababs and shashlik at Tk 50-100 per piece, chicken chops at Tk 20-30 per piece, chicken lollipops at Tk 30 per piece, fish cutlets at Tk 30 per piece, coconut puli at Tk 10 per piece, shrimp chops at Tk 20-25 per piece, shahi jilapi at Tk 180-200 per kg, reshmi jilapi at Tk 320-340 per kg, and shahi haleem at Tk 500-600 per kg.

Refreshing beverages are also a highlight of the iftar markets. Various drink stalls in Dakbangla and Gollamari areas are offering colourful drinks.

Different types of falooda, including strawberry and mango flavours, are priced between Tk 80-120. A half-liter of lassi costs Tk 120 while a half-liter of mattha is priced at Tk 70. Special lemon juice is available for Tk 20 per glass while wood apple juice is sold for Tk 30 per glass.

It is found that Gollamari offers slightly lower prices for iftar items compared to other markets in the city.

Ferry Ghat intersection is one of the largest iftar markets in the city. Humayun Kabir, a private sector employee from Sonadanga, visited the market to purchase hot and fresh Shahi Jilapi.

He said, "Jilapi is one of our family's favourite iftar items. I usually buy it from here, but today I also picked up some haleem and chicken chops."

As Ramadan progresses, Khulna's iftar markets continue to thrive, offering an irresistible blend of tradition, affordability and mouth-watering flavours for residents across the city.