City markets bustle with shoppers ahead of Eid

Patna: As the holy month of Ramzan draws to a close, the city is abuzz with preparations for Eid. Markets are teeming with shoppers while mosques and open prayer grounds are being meticulously cleaned for the Eid Namaz set to take place on Monday or Tuesday, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Every year, thousands of devotees gather at Gandhi Maidan for the Eid namaz and this year is no exception. The sprawling ground has been spruced up with essential facilities being put in place for worshippers. Mahmood Alam, president of the Eid Committee, which oversees the arrangements in coordination with the district administration, said Eid namaz would begin at 7.30am.
When asked about the expected turnout, Alam, who has been managing these affairs for 24 years, said, "Last year, around 30,000 people offered namaz on Eid. The attendance is usually higher on Eid compared to Bakrid." He added that a designated VIP area is set up every year where chief minister Nitish Kumar extends his greetings.
At Haj Bhawan, the Eid namaz is scheduled for 8.30am. An official associated with the venue said arrangements are complete and 2,500 worshippers would be accommodated at the facility.
Another sought-after prayer venue is the historic Shahi Eidgah in Patna City, a locality steeped in tradition. Abdullah Ansari, a member associated with its management, said, "People from neighbourhoods like Patna City, Alamganj and Gulzarbagh come in large numbers for the namaz with attendance reaching around 15,000."
Local mosques across the city will also hold Eid namaz, ensuring that devotees have ample spaces to offer prayers.
Beyond the spiritual preparations, the festive rush in markets is palpable. Shoppers are making a beeline for traditional Eid essentials – from elegant attire and embroidered skull caps to a delectable spread of festive treats. Shops selling sewai, lachha, dry fruits, bakarkhani and sheermal are witnessing an unrelenting surge in customers, adding to the Eid spirit that has enveloped the city.