Charminar

The first time I visited Charminar during Eid was in 2009. Glittering shirts, glittering trousers, glittering bangles, glittering shoes, glittering bags, glittering sarees, glittering kurtas, glittering showpieces, were all on sale on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

With odour as varied as from Mirchi Bajji to coconut oil, from axe deodorant to vanilla wafers, from coffee to itr, from leather to new cotton clothes, the nose was working overtime.

Everything under the sun was being bought and sold, with vendors vying in the most unique ways to attract attention of the customers. The most innovative slogan that I heard was, “Maalik mar gaya, rate gir gaya”.

There were heads all around. We stood at one end of Charminar and were pushed all the way to it (about one kilometer) by the crowd. We went and stood on the other end, and were pushed back to where our bike was parked.

At eleven in the night, people were eating chaat, dosas, haleem, mirchi bajji, paneer and chicken tikka and drinking irani chai and chaach (buttermilk). White churidar, white kurta, black burkhas with veils, dominated the crowds.

What Brindavan is to Holi, Charminar is to Id

It is fascinating to visit a place during a festival that is popularly celebrated there. What Brindavan is to Holi, Ahmedabad is to Navratri, Durga Puja is to Kolkata, Charminar is to Eid. A truly unique experience. Must experience for all.