The Muslims, who have completed the month-long Ramzan fasting, are in joyous mood and are all set to celebrate the “Id-ul-Fitr” (festival of charity).
Yes, Ramzan is a beautiful time of the year. When it starts, Muslims think of it as a countdown to Id. But when it is over, it leaves a void.
The preparations for the Id commenced as soon as the Hilal Committee comprising Islamic religious scholars confirmed the sighting of the crescent, heralding the commencement of the month of Shawwal.
Id-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal.
The winding by-lanes of all major towns across the central region were abuzz for the past one week as Muslims had been flocking the markets and other commercial centres for Ramzan shopping. The main selection of Muslims are new clothes, accessories, and food items to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr.
While women are found shopping new clothes, footwear, accessories, bangles, and food articles to celebrate the Id, young girls are found searching for cosmetics and mehendi powder.
New attire, footwear and cosmetics were the most popular commodities in the market. Interestingly, most of the business is done at night as the Muslims fast throughout the day.
Bakeries, eateries, and raw meat sellers do brisk business during the whole month as people regularly purchase bread and curries for Sehri (meal before dawn) or Iftar (meal after sunset).
When the rest of the community if fast asleep, the cities, and towns with a good number of Muslims come alive with the major markets and commercial places remaining open 24 hours in the days leading to Id.
The Muslims who observed day-long fasting during the entire month were seen thronging the busy markets.
Singarathope, Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose Road, Big Bazar Street, and the West Bouleward Road were overflowing with Muslims — both young and old — who were busy on the eleventh hour shopping.
Interestingly, people were indulging in Ramzan shopping for the past few days mostly at night as because of fasting during the day.
“Since it is too hot during the day, we find it very difficult to move out during the day time. I like to rest when I am fasting and see no point in tiring myself by venturing out. Hence, I prefer shopping leisurely during the late evening hours,” says Shanur Samdani, a housewife of Mannarpuram in Tiruchi.
“Shopping in the late evening hours is most enjoyable. There will be no hurry and we can shop as per our wish leisurely,” says Ms. Shanur.
Mouth watering “Sheer Khurma” (pal payasam) will be at the top of the menu on the Id day and people were purchasing sevia in the bakeries. Other special mouth watering snacks / appetisers such as faluda, chicken rolls, spring rolls, shami kebabs, and fruit salads will be very common at the dastarkhans (dining tables) in the households on the Id day.