Vermicelli, attar, ethnic wear fly off shelves as markets see festive rush ahead of Eid
Times of India | 7 June 2025
12 Kolkata: Markets across the city remained open till midnight ahead of Eid-ul-Zuha on Saturday as shoppers flocked to bazaars for last-minute festival purchases. Key trading hubs, including Zakaria Street, New Market, Entally and Rabindra Sarani, reported brisk business in traditional food, clothing and accessories. On Zakaria Street, demand for traditional food items, such as vermicelli, lachha and the golden and flaky khasta kachoris, which mark the Eid mornings, has surged since the last weekend. "Vermicelli or seviyan is a staple on Eid. Almost every family makes one variation or the other of it and garnishes it with milk and dry fruit," said Mohammad Shakir, who set up a stall at the Eid Market near Nakhoda mosque. "I usually sell caps, handkerchieves and towels, but before Eids, I shift to vermicelli and lachha, given the high demand," said Shakir as he weighed yet another packet. "Lachha sales are up by 30%. People are buying for their homes and to gift others. We stayed open till midnight this week."Families trooped down to New Market to buy biryani masala, spices besides decorative items and festive wear. "Unlike Eid-ul-Fitr, when the focus is on clothes, this Eid is more about food —dry fruit, varieties of rice, spices," said Abid Rahman, a spice vendor in the New Market area. "Our special biryani masala has been in huge demand." Bangles, attar bottles and embellished handbags are among the top-selling accessories, especially among younger shoppers, preparing for Eid gatherings. Dry fruits, used in several dishes, desserts and also as gifts, flew off shelves. Retailers across the city had placed extra orders with wholesalers to meet the demand.Klassic Kurta on Rabindra Sarani saw a demand for men's ethnic wear. "Our footfall doubled since the first week of June," said Imran Rizvi, an employee. "There's a preference for cotton kurtas in white and pastel. Men are spending more on clothes this time."Special Eid prayers will be held on Red Road and mosques. "Mosques and community grounds are being readied as lakhs of people in the city and outskirts will perform prayers in the morning," said Arif Hussain, Imam in a central Kolkata mosque. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes, messages, and quotes !