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Hyderabad's fave expo turns Bengaluru into a slice of Charminar
Siasat | March 4, 2026 12:39 AM CST

When Hyderabad’s Ramzan nights traveled to Bengaluru!

Hyderabad ki shaan, Charminar, and Ramzan’s most beloved delicacy, haleem, found an unexpected new address this year – Bengaluru. What sounded unlikely turned into reality when entrepreneur and vlogger Anam Mirza brought her signature Ramzan expo, Daawat-e-Ramzaan, to the Garden City for the first time.

About Daawat-e-Ramzaan

Launched in Hyderabad in 2022 by Anam Mirza and her husband Asaduddin, Daawat-e-Ramzaan has grown into one of the city’s most anticipated Ramzan shopping and food bazaars. Hosted annually at King’s Palace in Gudimalkapur, the expo has become a magnet for shopaholics and food lovers, blending Hyderabadi culture, cuisine and festive night-market energy under one roof.

A Bengaluru debut

In 2026, Daawat-e-Ramzaan expanded beyond Hyderabad, making its debut in Bengaluru with Bollywood filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan as its brand ambassador. The three-day event, held from February 27 to March 1, recreated the sights, sounds and flavours of Hyderabad’s Ramzan nights.

Image Source: Special Arrangement

Over 30 food stalls served Hyderabadi staples such as haleem and biryani, alongside Bengaluru favourites like Empire and Milano. A sprawling night market with more than 160 stalls offered ethnic wear, abayas, jewellery, perfumes and home decor, while a Charminar-inspired backdrop drew crowds eager to capture the Hyderabadi vibe.

Image Source: Special Arrangement

Social media soon filled with reels of visitors clicking photos at the Charminar installation, waiting patiently for haleem and sampling kebabs late into the night, signalling that the experiment had struck a chord.

‘Unbelievable’ response

Speaking to Siasat.com, Anam Mirza described the response as overwhelming. She said, “Unbelievable. Words aren’t enough. It feels like a dream honestly… to be welcomed by Bengaluru like this, it’s been amazing.”

Image Source: Special Arrangement

On what made the concept resonate with a new audience, she said, “Authenticity. We were very authentic with our concept and idea. We were also very honest with our marketing. Promised only what we were sure we could deliver.”

Summing up the Bengaluru crowd, she added, “Massive and welcoming. They came in large numbers and were so welcoming towards us.”

Food that kept them waiting

While the ambience recreated the feel of Charminar nights, it was the food that became the main crowd-puller. Visitors queued for 30 to 45 minutes for haleem, biryani and kebabs, yet many said the wait was worth it.

“The queues were crazy long and people were still waiting, happily,” said Moiz, a member of the Daawat-e-Ramzaan team and marketing head overseeing the Hyderabad edition. “There was this genuine moment of ‘oh, THIS is what haleem is supposed to be.’”

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