Chawkbazar, the largest iftar market of Bangladesh, has turned on its festivity look with traditional iftar items on first day of Ramadan.
After witnessing the 400-year-long tradition of Dhaka, the market has set it up with over hundred makeshift shops like every year, and with thousands of gourmands who came to Chawkbazar to buy special dishes that are only available at the market.
Tawhidul Alam Munsi, a resident of Dhaka’s Narianda, said: “I came here because my family members love traditional iftar items of this market. I bought Boro Baper Polay Khay, Suti Kabab, Shahi parata, Chops and fruits. I am hoping this will make the first iftar of this Ramadan special for my family.”
Md Jillur Rahman, a businessman of the market, whose family has been in this business since British period, said: “Only a few shops used to sell ‘Boro Baper Polay Khay’ (a famous iftar item which is mainly a mixture of chickpeas, finely chopped beef, chicken, potato, liver, brain, egg, spices, and ghee). Later it became the signature dish of the market and now one kilogram of the item is being sold at Tk400.”
Zulfiquar Newaz, who has been selling Shahi Jilapi for last 30 years, said the item was known as Nawab Jilapi and later renamed as Shahi Jilapi costs Tk180 per kilogram.
The price of some items like Suti Kabab, Leg Fry, Roasted Chicken, Mutton Kabab, Chops and Dahi Bara, Shahi Halim are higher than the previous years due to high price of groceries and meat, said the traders.
This year the price of Faluda is fixed at Tk100, Nargis Chop at Tk40 per piece, Roast Chicken at Tk200 to Tk250 per piece, Mutton Kabab at Tk600, Roast Quail at Tk60 to Tk80 per piece, Shahi Parata at Tk40 per piece, Jali Kabab at Tk40 per piece, Shahi jilapi at Tk180 per kilogram, Fried Pigeon at Tk250, Fried Duck at Tk480, Shahi Halim at Tk400 and Dahi Bara at Tk400.
“We have formed eight teams to monitor the market so that traders cannot raise the prices of essential commodities illegally and bring adulterate foods in the markets,” Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Mohammad Sayeed Khokon said while talking to the reporters after visiting the market on Sunday noon.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
