Haleem: Why Do You Need To Wait 324 Days To Eat This Delicacy In Hyderabad?

This story was published in January 2026 edition of Yaksha Prashna magazine. Know more

In Hyderabad, a special time of the year comes when the smell of hot and tasty Haleem is in the air. Many people wait for it with a lot of excitement. But did you know something interesting? Every year, this wait becomes shorter by about ten days. Let us find out why this happens.

Haleem came from Central Asia long ago but became very famous in Hyderabad. Even though a few shops sell it all year, the real and traditional Haleem is available only once a year.

Why Is Haleem Available Only for 30 Days?

Authentic Hyderabadi Haleem is only made during the holy month of Ramzan. Ramzan lasts for about 30 days, and Haleem is cooked and sold only during this time. That is why people enjoy it for just one month in a whole year.

Once Ramzan ends, Haleem disappears, and people must wait again for the next season (324 days) to enjoy it.

Why is the wait only 324 days?

Since the festival is celebrated for a month, you can first minus 30 days from the year. Now, your next question will be, 365-30 is 335, then why is it 324? Here is the catch… Ramzan follows the Islamic calendar, which is different from the calendar we normally use. The Islamic calendar started in the year 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Madinah. This event is called the Hijrah.

The Islamic calendar is based on the moon. Each month starts when a new crescent moon is seen. Because of this, the Islamic year has only 354 or 355 days, which is about 10 or 11 days shorter than the solar year. So

Ramzan comes early every year, and the wait for Haleem becomes shorter.

Moon Sighting and Celebration

Ramzan begins only after the new moon is seen in the sky. When the next new moon appears, Ramzan ends, and Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated. Since the moon looks different in different places, Ramzan may start on different days in different countries.

So, as the Haleem season moves closer every year, Ramzan reminds us to share food, show kindness, help others, and spread peace and togetherness in our homes and hearts.

Yaksha Prashna is a curiosity-driven, physical-only monthly magazine for children and forever young minds. Each issue, delivered to your doorstep, explores science, history, culture, and the world around us through stories and questions that make you pause and think. Subscribe Now