The downpour is over. There is sunshine all over. Kozhikode is slowly getting into a festive mood with Bakrid being observed on Wednesday and Thiruvonam just three days away, though there is no fervour per se.
Customers were seen coming back to S.M. Street, the main shopping hub of the city, which did not have much of a business in the past few weeks in view of the incessant rain. People had started thronging the street, though in small numbers compared with the same period in previous years, on Monday itself when the rain took a break. Though the overall sentiments were against grandiose Onam-Bakrid celebrations, many were seen visiting shopping malls and commercial spaces on Mavoor Road to buy dress materials and other accessories. On Tuesday, preparations were in full swing for Bakrid. Though the general practice was to buy the essentials for Bakrid in advance, this time around, people were forced to postpone it to the last minute. Those selling footwear, including road-side vendors, did a brisk business. Road-side vendors, who normally get a lot of customers in the festival season, were disappointed in the last few weeks as the torrential rain had dashed their hopes. They are now hoping a revival in business. There were many visitors at the Onam-Bakrid melas being conducted at various parts of the city too.
Meanwhile, flowers have started arriving from other States at the Palayam market. However, vendors claimed that the business was not as good as it used to be. The prices of vegetables have slightly gone up as fresh stocks are yet to arrive at many places.
