Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Muslim brethren eagerly await the holy month of Ramzan every year. The sacred month began on February 19. As 25 fasts have nearly been completed, only five days remain until Ramzan or Eid-ul-Fitr Eid. It is expected that Eid will be celebrated everywhere on Saturday. With this in view, preparations for Eid have gathered pace across the city. In the old city area, large crowds have begun thronging the markets for shopping, and after 7 pm it becomes nearly impossible to find space to walk through the bazaars.
Residents from nearby villages and towns in the tehsil also come to the city for shopping. This tradition has continued for many years. After the completion of 20 days of Ramzan, crowds in the markets gradually begin to increase. On Friday night, many shops in Paithan Gate, City Chowk, Shahganj, Lota Karanja and Juna Bazar remained open until 2.30 am. Notably, there were still plenty of customers shopping at that late hour. On the occasion of Ramzan Eid, every Muslim purchases new items, from clothes to various household goods. Compared with men, women generally tend to shop more. Traders estimate that the crowds in the old city will increase fourfold between the 27th and 30th days of Ramzan.
Readymade garments in demand, yet…
Although readymade garments dominate the market, there is still a considerable number of people who prefer to have their clothes stitched by tailors. After the 20th day of Ramzan, tailors stopped accepting new orders from customers. “It will simply not be possible to stitch clothes by the 30th day of Ramzan,” said a tailor from City Chowk.
30 fasts expected to be completed
It is expected that all 30 fasts will be completed this year as well. Preparations are being made on the assumption that the moon will be sighted on Friday evening and Eid will be celebrated on March 21. However, if Ramzan lasts only 29 days, the moon could be sighted on Thursday evening.