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From Partition To Pluralism: 40-Year-Old Chennai Temple Tradition Serves 1,200 Daily During Ramzan

For over four decades, volunteers from Chennai’s Sufi Dar Temple have prepared and served up to 1,200 daily iftar meals at Wallajah Mosque, reflecting enduring interfaith harmony.

Chhavi Chandani

February 23, 2026

In Chennai, a 40-plus-year tradition of interfaith service continues as volunteers from the Sufi Dar Temple and the Sufidar Trust prepare and serve iftar meals to fasting Muslims at the historic Wallajah Mosque in Triplicane each evening during the holy month of Ramzan.

The practice, started by Hindu refugee Dada Ratanchand after the Partition of India, now feeds around 1,000-1,200 people daily and involves volunteers from diverse backgrounds working together in a spirit of shared service and mutual respect.

Community leaders, including Prince Nawab Abdul Ali of Arcot, have publicly praised the initiative as an embodiment of secular values and neighbourly solidarity, even as national debates about religious polarisation persist. Organisers stress the practice is sustained purely through volunteer efforts and reflects enduring goodwill across communities.

Unity Through Service: Iftar Meals Prepared With Care

Every day during Ramzan, volunteers begin their work early in the morning often as early as 7.30 am in the temple kitchens on Dr Radhakrishnan Road in Mylapore. They prepare vegetarian meals that typically include vegetable biryani, fried rice, channa rice, cauliflower rice, saffron-infused milk, fresh fruits, sweets, dates, water and packaged food, aiming to ensure a nutritious and respectful iftar for the fasting community each evening.

By late afternoon, the food is loaded into vans and transported to the Wallajah Mosque, a landmark built in the late 18th century by Nawab Mohammed Ali Wallajah’s ancestors. There, a dedicated team of around 60-70 volunteers serve the meals ahead of sunset prayers the moment when Muslims break their daily fast after long hours of abstinence. Some volunteers respectfully don traditional caps as a sign of respect for Islamic customs and to maintain hygiene.

“This is not about religion; it’s about humanity,” says Harish Makkar, one of the Sufi Dar volunteers, explaining that the menu varies daily and that the meals are served with care and dignity. “Compassion knows no religion, and that is why we have continued this tradition for decades.”

A Tradition Born of Shared History

The origins of this unique interfaith tradition date back more than four decades. The practice was initiated by Dada Ratanchand, a Hindu man who migrated from Sindh during the violence of the Partition in 1947 and settled in Chennai as a refugee. Driven by a deep spiritual commitment, Ratanchand established the Sufidar Trust and temple to propagate the teachings of the Sufi saint Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib, emphasising unity, service and compassion across faiths.

According to historical accounts, the serving of iftar at the mosque began when members of the royal House of Arcot historically custodians of Muslim heritage in the region were impressed by the temple’s cleanliness and service ethic. Together with Ratanchand, they formed an understanding that led to the temple’s daily provision of meals throughout Ramzan, a practice that has continued without interruption.

After Ratanchand’s passing, the work has been carried forward by dedicated volunteers like Ram Dev, who left his automobile business to devote himself full-time to the cause. Local volunteers and supporters from other states including Maharashtra and Rajasthan join efforts to ensure the food is prepared and delivered on time every day.

The ethos of the temple itself reflects its inclusive mission. Inside, the walls are adorned with images and symbols from multiple faith traditions including Hindu deities, Sufi saints, Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, Guru Nanak, Sikh Gurus, and leaders from diverse spiritual lineages creating a space that invites visitors of all backgrounds to feel at home.

Voices of Appreciation and Broader Impact

Community responses highlight the heartfelt impact of this long-standing practice. Prince Nawab Abdul Ali of Arcot has publicly commended the initiative, stating: “In a secular country like India, everyone should respect each other’s religions, we are all children of the same God.” His endorsement underscores the initiative’s resonance with secular and pluralistic values.

Beneficiaries also speak warmly of the practice. Jamila, a regular visitor to the mosque, says she relies on the iftar meals after finishing work before sunset. “This service brings our community together,” she reflects, emphasising the practical and symbolic importance of the tradition.

Interestingly, the initiative also ensures that leftover food is distributed to local destitute families, including Hindu residents who gather outside the mosque each evening, further strengthening its role as a unifying force across social and economic lines.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

In an era marked by intense debates on identity and division, the ongoing iftar tradition in Chennai offers a powerful testament to the lived realities of unity and compassion on the ground. This is not a grand policy announcement or a momentary event; it is a sustained, grassroots expression of neighbourly care that has endured over generations. The Logical Indian believes that such stories embody the true spirit of India’s pluralism where kindness, respect and shared humanity matter more than difference.

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