Eid shoppers on buying spree in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 19 (UNI) Eid shoppers in Kashmir are thronging markets in large numbers from early morning these days to purchase their favourite merchandise...but the most important buy being sheep and goat for ''Feast of Sacrifice'' in Islam, which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to kill his first born son Ismail for God.

Eid-ul-Zuha would be celebrated across Kashmir on Friday.

Several roadside markets, with products displayed on cots and folding beds, have come up in the city during the past few days.

Serpentine queues could be seen outside several shops, mainly those selling bakery products and meat, at Lal Chowk, the nerve centre and the business hub of Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, and other markets in the city and the Valley.

Young crowd mainly thronged shops selling clothes, footwear, gift items and greeting cards.

Bakerwals (nomads) and even some people from rural areas have come to Srinagar to sell their sheep and goats. Flocks of sheep and goat could be seen at Lal Chowk, Eidgah grounds, Exhibition crossing, Batamaloo and other places in the city.

While the local sheep and goats are in much demand because of their horns and other features, a large number of people were also seen buying sacrificial animals brought from Delhi and Rajashtan.

The prices per sheep and goat range from Rs 4500 to Rs 30,000.

''I bought this sheep for Rs 25,000 from a Bakerwal and did not even once bargain,'' said Mohammad Ashraf Ganai, pointing toward the huge animal and proudly announcing the price.

While markets in Kashmir wear a festive look with people busy in shopping and preparations for the festival, the city and other towns witnesses frequent traffic jams these days in the run up to the Eid.

UNI