Delhi’s early risers: The unsung architects of the city’s mornings

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Delhi: Before the streets hum with the chaos of honking horns and hurried footsteps, a quieter yet dynamic world awakens. This world belongs to the early risers—those who begin their day while the rest of the city sleeps.

Delhi floral mornings: A flower vendor arranges fresh blooms for early customers at Ghazipur Flower Market. The market comes alive in the early hours with vibrant colours and fragrances, catering to both daily shoppers and special occasion buyers. — Delhi’s floral mornings: A flower vendor arranges fresh blooms for early customers at Ghazipur Flower Market. The market comes alive in the early hours with vibrant colours and fragrances, catering to both daily shoppers and special occasion buyers.

From the yoga practitioners who salute the rising sun to milk distributors delivering freshness at doorsteps, these individuals breathe life into the capital’s mornings. This feature explores their stories, celebrating the unseen resilience that sustains the rhythm of Delhi.

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Newspaper hawkers

**Riding into the day: A man rides his bicycle with two schoolchildren, dropping them off at school. The morning scene captures the resilience and simplicity of everyday life in Delhi.**

Long before the sun rises, a silent yet indispensable workforce stirs to life. Newspaper hawkers, often overlooked, ensure the city starts its day informed. Their routine begins as early as 3 am, with distribution points abuzz as they sort newspapers in Hindi, English, Urdu, and other languages.

Delivering the headlines: (From left) A newspaper hawker cycles down Amrita Shergill Marg early in the morning to distribute papers, while another vendor near Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar Metro Station arranges newspapers and books for sale.

Braving chilly winds, dense fog, and the occasional downpour, these hawkers bundle stacks of newspapers by route and subscription. With bicycles and scooters weighed down, they navigate narrow lanes and busy roads to ensure timely delivery. Their efforts bring the latest news, views, and stories to homes, offices, and tea stalls across Delhi.

Delhi’s breakfast makers

Old Delhi breakfast hustle: A food vendor in Old Delhi prepares steaming bread omelettes for early travellers. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast fills the air as vendors like him cater to commuters and locals starting their day. — Old Delhi’s breakfast hustle: A food vendor in Old Delhi prepares steaming bread omelettes for early travellers. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast fills the air as vendors like him cater to commuters and locals starting their day.

As the first rays of sunlight touch the city, breakfast makers spring into action. These unsung heroes—ranging from street vendors to small eatery owners—work tirelessly to feed Delhi’s bustling population.

Tea and camaraderie: Kashmiri and local tea vendors serve steaming cups of tea to early travellers near Jama Masjid. The warmth of the tea and the hospitality of the vendors offer comfort to those braving Delhi’s chilly mornings.

The aroma of sizzling parathas, bubbling chai, and freshly prepared bread omelette fills the air, drawing early risers. From blue-collar workers to hurried commuters, everyone relies on these vendors for a nourishing start to the day. Despite extreme weather, their dedication ensures that Delhi wakes up to a warm, satisfying meal. The aroma of sizzling parathas, bubbling chai, and freshly prepared bread omelette fills the air, drawing early risers. From blue-collar workers to hurried commuters, everyone relies on these vendors for a nourishing start to the day. Despite extreme weather, their dedication ensures that Delhi wakes up to a warm, satisfying meal.

Yoga and open-air gym activities

Mindful mornings: Yoga enthusiasts practise asanas against the backdrop of historical monuments at Lodhi Garden, while others enjoy fitness activities at the open-air gym. These morning rituals foster physical and mental wellness in the heart of the city.

Delhi’s parks come alive at dawn with the laughter and activity of senior citizens. Open-air gyms, equipped with basic fitness equipment, are buzzing with elderly individuals staying active and engaged. Group laughter exercises echo through the greenery, offering not just physical but also emotional wellness.

Yoga enthusiasts also gather in the serenity of the city’s parks. Performing asanas, pranayama, and meditation at sunrise, they harness the tranquillity of the early morning to rejuvenate body and mind.

Fitness and laughter in harmony: A group of senior citizens practises laughter exercises at the open-air gym in Lodhi Garden. These morning rituals, combining physical activity and camaraderie, promote health, positivity, and a sense of community.

Mahesh Arora, a regular at Lodhi Garden since 1993, says, “It’s important for an individual to stay active and healthy.” He is part of the Ram Ram Ji Group, which consists of around 30 members who gather daily for physical activities and laughter exercises.

Om Prakash, another member, adds, “There are many groups that practise yoga in the morning at Lodhi Garden, such as the LG Friends Group, Yoga Group, Jai Mata Di Group, and others. Our group has more elderly members. We engage in laughter yoga, exercises, and use the open-air gym. Some of our members are as old as 80 and attend regularly.”

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Fajr namaz and morning puja at Yamuna ghat

Faith and devotion_ Muslim worshippers gather at Jama Masjid for Fajr namaz before sunrise, their prayers blending with the stillness of the foggy morning. — **Faith and devotion: Muslim worshippers gather at Jama Masjid for Fajr namaz before sunrise, their prayers blending with the stillness of the foggy morning.**

In the peaceful stillness of dawn, the Azaan calls the faithful to masjids for Fajr Namaz. This early morning prayer signifies discipline, devotion, and a connection with the divine, setting a spiritual tone for the day ahead.

Rituals by the Yamuna: (From left) A serene morning at Yamuna Ghat where a Hindu devotee performs puja by the river, offering water as part of her prayers. The ghat reflects a spiritual connection with nature as another worshipper bows in devotion amidst the tranquil surroundings.

Meanwhile, Yamuna Ghat becomes a haven for Hindu devotees performing morning puja. They offer flowers, incense, and diyas to the sacred river in gratitude and reverence. The tranquil chants and the golden light of sunrise reflecting on the waters create an ethereal setting, fostering peace and spiritual renewal.

Vegetable and flower vendors

Greens at dawn: A vegetable vendor pushes his cart near the Red Fort in the early hours, eager to set up his stall for the day. The streets come alive as vendors like him prepare for the bustling markets ahead.

As the city stirs awake, vibrant displays of fresh produce line Delhi’s streets. Vegetable vendors arrange a kaleidoscope of leafy greens, seasonal fruits, and root vegetables. Nearby, flower markets bloom into action, attracting early risers seeking garlands and bouquets.

Milk and bread vendors at dawn

**Morning essentials: Milk and bread distributors begin their rounds in the early hours, ensuring households across Delhi receive fresh essentials to start their day.**

In the hushed hours of early morning, milk and bread vendors embark on their rounds. The metallic clink of milk cans and the warm aroma of freshly baked bread signal the city’s gradual awakening.

“Milk, delivered in metal cans, is dropped off at doorsteps, ready to be used for tea, coffee, or breakfast preparations,” says a vendor.

Ankit, a cab driver and private employee, shares his routine: “I wake up at 4 am and start my cab service, which I run until 9 or 10 am, before heading to my office. This routine helps me stay active and healthy throughout the day.”

A city that thrives in silence

**Harmony with nature: A woman prepares food for birds at Yamuna Ghat near Kashmere Gate. As the river awakens with flocks of birds and boaters, the morning exudes a sense of peace and coexistence.**

Delhi’s mornings offer a poignant reminder of the resilience and dedication of its people. Beneath the city’s bustling exterior lies a quieter, enduring rhythm shaped by those who rise before dawn. Their stories celebrate the harmony of tradition, hard work, and simplicity—an essential yet often unseen part of the capital’s soul.