It's festival time in Tihar Jail

New Delhi -- Chants of Hindu mantras, fragrance of incense sticks and excerpts from the Holy Quran envelop the atmosphere in Tihar jail - Asia's biggest prison that is home to some of the most dreaded criminals.

This year is special as the Hindu Navratri season and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan coincide with each other.

Around 300 of the over 14,000 inmates have asked for pictures of Hindu goddess Durga during the ongoing puja season so that they can worship and offer prayers.

Officials in the jail said posters of the goddess have been distributed to those who had asked for it and added that special food arrangements have also been made for the festival period.

"We do not allow idols in the jail premises so we are distributing these posters to those inmates who have demanded them," said a senior official of Tihar Jail.

"Around 300 posters have been distributed so far and we believe more people could ask for them after seeing others offer prayers," the official said.

He further said that cooks have been asked to be extra cautious while preparing food for the inmates as many of them are fasting either for the nine-day Navratri period or for Ramadan.

"Aaloo pakora with chapattis made from kuttu flour is being served to the inmates observing a fast for Navratri so that they can at least have one meal during the evening. The cooks have been directed to take extra care of these inmates," said the official.

"We have also stocked coconuts, kheel and batasha in the canteen so that the inmates can buy them during the puja," informed the official.

The needs of Muslim inmates observing their month-long fast are also being looked into.

"There are around 400 inmates who are fasting for Ramadan and special arrangements have been made for them too," the official said.

"We have brought all these inmates into one barrack so that it becomes easier for us to serve them food at 4.00 a.m.," he said. "The second round of food is served at around 6.00 p.m. when the inmates are through with their prayers."

"Since it is an auspicious month for both the communities, we are trying to facilitate everything that is within our reach," said the official.