JOIN USOn Eid eve, Shivajinagar soaks in festive spirit
The mood was one of anticipation and excitement in Shivajinagar on Sunday, the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, which will mark the end of the month of Ramazan.
People crowded around street hawkers selling bags, footwear and clothes. The hawkers were making swift business as they competed for customers, each one calling out offers more attractive than the other. It was the last day to make good business before taking a break on Monday for festivities. “Tomorrow I will be going for the Namaz early in the morning. After that, I will distribute 10% of my profits among poor people,” said Ashraf, one of the hawkers.
In Russell Market, customers were inspecting the wide variety of dates and dry fruits, which are an essential part of the festival’s menu.
Dr M S Honnapur and his family have moved to Bengaluru from Belagavi last month, and were shopping in Shivajinagar for their first Eid celebration in the city. “Eid-ul-Fitr is the biggest of our four festivals. It marks the end of Ramazan, the holy month during which we fast and pray five times a day. We also give Zakat in the form of food and money to our relatives in need, neighbours and others,” Dr Honnapur said.
His daughter Simranbanu is excited about celebrating Eid in Bengaluru for the first time. “Everyone here is in the spirit of the festival. I got to know about the latest fashion trends, too. I will be wearing a sari for the first time this Eid and I am really excited,” the first PU student said. She and her mother, Dr Shamshad Begum will spend the night applying mehendi on their hands.
“In the morning, after namaz, we will start our preparations in the kitchen, We will be making Sheer Khorma, a dish made using dry fruits, milk and vermicelli. And of course, we will cook biriyani as well,” Dr Begum said. The family would spend the day visiting homes of friends and relatives in the city, greeting them on the festive occasion. Talking about their favourite part of the festival, the woman and daughter said, “We have to wear new clothes, footwear and accessories. Everything from head to toe, even a small hairclip, has to be newly bought.”