Delhi's Ramleela And Dussehra: Reliving Nostalgia Through Food

For anybody born and raised in Delhi, Ramleela fairs preserve a unique area inside the heart. It’s not simply the spectacle of the Ramayana being delivered to life on stage but additionally the vibrant food scene that lingers in memory. because the festive season of Navratri rolls in, with Dusshera marking its give up, the excitement of visiting Ramleela fairs turns into a family tradition. Ramleela is more than just a cultural or religious occasion; it’s a sensory experience wherein the aroma of freshly prepared street food mingles with the sounds of devotional tune. For a person like me who has moved far from the city, this season brings a wave of nostalgia, especially for the iconic food stalls serving the entirety from kathi kebabs to kuttu cutlets, leaving behind a craving for the simpler pleasures of Delhi's festive scene.

As a child growing up in Delhi, Ramleela meant more than simply looking the enactment of the Ramayana; it turned into the spotlight of the year, where families would gather to experience food, rides, and festivities. The Ramleela fairs are held across the city, from neighbourhoods to larger grounds like red fort and Subhash Maidan, transforming every place into a bustling fairground filled with laughter, lighting, and meals.

The Centerstage

The food stalls have always been the soul of Ramleela. traditional old Delhi delights like kathi kebabs, pav bhaji, chole bhature, and matka kulfi drew in crowds from every corner. And for kids, it was never just about watching the Ramayana play—it was the joy of being surrounded by way of irresistible aromas and the anticipation of getting their hands on their favourite treats. I fondly remember how the excitement wasn’t in just eating, but looking the chefs skillfully put together roomali rotis, flipping them in the air like a magic trick. The sheer artistry of it turned into enough to go away us kids in awe.

Roomali rotis with kebabs became a personal favourite, not necessarily due to the taste but due to the spectacle of the preparation. I vividly recall the ‘rumali man’ tossing the dough in the air, catching it, and quickly baking it over an inverted wok, as if performing a live show for the eager audience. even though I wasn’t a big fan of the soya-based kebabs paired with it, the experience itself changed into priceless.

Changing Food Scene

Over the years, the Ramleela meals stalls have evolved. earlier, most stalls were devoted to traditional North Indian street food, but now, the fairground offers a various array of flavours from across India. You’ll find over 50 food stalls, with vendors from distinctive states, each supplying their specific culinary specialities. alongside the timeless classics like golgappa, chaats, and kachoris, modern-day additions like pizza, momos, and pasta have discovered their way into the fair. these fusion meals have introduced a new era of visitors to Ramleela, making sure it stay relevant in today’s fast-changing meals landscape.

The scene has changed dramatically since i was a child. today, when families visit Ramleela fairs, they're greeted not just by way of the smells of Delhi's street meals but also by more modern alternatives like brownie chocolate towers and fancy cotton candy stalls, which grasp the eye of wide-eyed kids. even though a number of these new offerings seem out of place among the traditional delicacies, they have got turn out to be a natural part of the evolving food culture that Ramleela now represents.
During the nine days of Navratri, when many observe fasting, food stalls have also adapted by offering sattvic or falahari options for those keeping fasts. Earlier, our mothers would pick a day when they weren’t fasting to enjoy the regular chaat and bhature, but now, everyone has something to enjoy. From sabudana khichdi to kuttu puri and sendha namak cutlets, there’s no shortage of fasting-friendly delicacies. This inclusion of sattvic food has made it possible for everyone to partake in the food festivities without breaking their fast. 

Fast-Friendly Food Stalls

Kuttu dishes, such as kuttu ki roti, kuttu cutlets, and kuttu pakoras, have become widely available, and they are often seasoned with black pepper and sendha namak, making them both delicious and fasting-compliant. The food scene at Ramleela has truly transformed into a melting pot of traditional and modern flavours. 

At its heart, though, the Ramleela fair has remained the same—a festival that brings people together through shared experiences. From the giant Ferris wheels to the toy stalls selling Hanuman masks and bow-and-arrow sets, it’s a place where the charm of Delhi comes alive each year. Even though time and distance have kept me away, the memories of Delhi’s Ramleela fairs remain vivid, especially the food. Each bite was not just a taste of something delicious but a reminder of home, family, and the festive joy of togetherness.