At the Eidgah Mosque on St. Mary’s Road, Mandaveli, a small set of cooks and helpers get going on the terrace – to prepare the nombu kanji, partaken daily after the break of fasting during this period leading to Ramzan.
The ingredients, a traditional mix, are sourced fresh daily and the cooking, a laborious task, starts around 10.30 a.m.
The first set of people who receive the kanji are the poor who line up at the gate of the mosque. Others are also welcome to request for it.
“This is the time for sharing,” says Imtiaz, a office-bearer here.
Later, around 6 p.m., after the evening prayers the congregation sits for the Iftar – besides the kanji, cutlet, samosas, small appams, a vada and water is served. This makes a full meal.
The dining hall is packed, perhaps 150 plus people in one sitting and the food service follows a strict order.
