Kashmir markets abuzz with shoppers for the Eid festival - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

On the eve of the Eid-Al-Adha festival, the markets are abuzz with people on a marketing spree. Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid-Al-Adha is an important day in the Muslim calendar, marking the end of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. A visit to the holy city or haj is a must for Muslims at least once in their lifetime. People living in Srinagar as well as those residing in far areas have all thronged the markets to shop amidst the rush of jostling and haggling for a bargain price. They buy clothes as well as food items including meat, chicken, vegetables and confectionery. "People are delving into extensive shopping spree for clothes and others things as they are very happy for the Eid festival that has come after two-and-a half months. Shopping is on in full swing," said G.S Parray, a customer. Some shopkeepers claim to have recorded a record profit. "It is natural that since it is a big day so people who used to buy half-a-kilogram of biscuit would now buy one kilogram. So there is a difference in sale. Earlier if we used to incur sale of 10,000 rupees per day now we can earn 20,000 rupees per day or even more than that. It's a big day and with Allah's blessings everyone does good sale during this time," said Manzoor Ahmad, a confectioner. The delicious dishes cooked by the residents here on the occasion of Eid are fascinating. Eid al-Adha, the festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet's readiness to sacrifice his own son in obedience to God. According to the Holy Quran, God appeared in Prophet Ibrahim's dream and asked him to sacrifice something that was most dear to him. Prophet Ibrahim decided to sacrifice his own son, Ismail. However, when he put a knife on Ismail's throat, God replaced his son with a goat through a miracle. Consequently, it has become a tradition to slaughter livestock and feed the poor to mark the occasion.