Rooted in reflection, this event reimagines Ramzan through the lens of Mumbai’s maritime legacy on a sunset yacht cruise
Representational Image
As a historian, Falak Chowdhary has spent years leading heritage and food walks across Mumbai. Over the past three years, she has also been curating Ramzan experiences that weave together history, food, and faith. Over time, she noticed a growing number of Ramzan-themed food tours. “While it’s encouraging to see the rising interest, it made me confident about not wanting to be just another iftar gathering, but an experience grounded in research, context, and a deeper sense of identity,” says Chowdhary.
That’s when she began exploring the rich maritime history of a city shaped by the sea. “Mumbai’s story is rooted in trade routes, migration, dockyards, and coastal communities. Maritime history also holds deep significance in Islamic civilisation, from early Muslim traders and naval advancements to cultural exchanges across the Arabian Sea. That’s why I thought of bringing Ramzan and maritime history together,” she adds.
Iftaar over conversations of Mumbai’s maritime history. Pic/NOOR-E-IFTAAR
Iftar cruises and sea-based Ramzan gatherings are common across several Arabian countries, so Chowdhary felt it would be interesting to celebrate Ramzan by the sea, in a historic port city with its own Islamic and coastal legacy. That idea gave birth to Noor-e-Iftaar, a celebration of breaking the fast at dusk, in the sea. In its debut year in 2025, the response was marked by warmth and a deep sense of connection. “People resonated not just with the food or the setting, but with the intention behind it. That encouragement brings us to the second edition, with more thoughtfully curated elements, deeper storytelling, and a continued effort to make Ramzan in Mumbai feel both rooted and reflective,” she adds.
The evening begins with a motorboat transfer from the coast. “The moment you step aboard, there is an immediate shift. The noise of the city begins to fade, and the sea gently slows you down. As the sun sets, the sky turns to shades of gold and rose. The air feels lighter. Everything becomes quieter in the most comforting way.”
The curated iftar features premium dates, refreshing beverages, traditional drinks, and a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. The experience then unfolds into a full meal, with comforting mains, indulgent desserts, and a thoughtful dish-ender that completes the evening. Add to that a golden sunset and uninterrupted views of the open sea, as the sky transforms and the azan (call to prayer) feels almost internal.
Falak Chowdhary
“At sea, breaking your fast doesn’t feel rushed. There is a shared stillness, and a deeper sense of gratitude. You notice it in the pauses, in the softness of conversations, in the quiet calm that settles over everyone,” says Chowdhary. The setting invites you to sit, unwind, reflect, pray, and be. Interactive moments encourage connection among guests, while storytelling sessions trace Mumbai’s maritime legacy and its deep ties to Islamic history, from trade routes and Sufi movements to coastal communities and the ocean’s spiritual significance.
As night falls, the city lights shimmer across the water, and the space takes on a warm, intimate, almost sacred quality. The sea becomes a gentle witness to your prayers. “It feels like Ramzan the way it is meant to be experienced: in the quiet, with a heart full of gratitude,” Chowdhary signs off.
Did you know?
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Mahim held greater political and cultural significance than the island of Bombay. Long before the British elevated Bombay, Mahim was already a thriving centre of Islamic spirituality and scholarship. Under the Gujarat Sultanate, it emerged as a key centre of Islamic administration and military presence. The iconic Mahim Dargah reflects this legacy. Its patron, Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, was a revered Sufi saint who was also a scholar deeply connected to the intellectual networks of Gujarat and the wider Islamic world. Known as Qutb-e-Kokan, he was regarded as the spiritual anchor of the Konkan region.
WHAT: Noor-e-iftaar
WHEN: March 5, 5 pm onwards
TO BOOK: 9769510538
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