Festive buzz grips Mangalore, shoppers, revelers keep streets awake

Mangalore, August 30: Muslims across the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi ushered in the Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional fervor and gaiety as Takbirs marked the beginning of the festivities immediately after the sighting of the moon on Tuesday evening.

The members of the Muslim community exchanged greetings by embracing each other and with the traditional greeting of Eid Mubarak. Mobile phones kept buzzing with the text messages of Eid greetings even as social networking sites like facebook and twitter were flooded with messages of greetings.

The shopping malls and stores in the city were swamped with people looking for some last minute grabs while chicken and meat stalls kept their doors open late into the night for the convenience of the people. Streets around market area were bustling with activity even during late evening, as burkha-clad women indulged in a buying spree. The last-minute shopping involved purchasing cosmetics, belts and shoes. Saloons, which normally close shutters on Tuesday, remained open till late night as people made beeline to have a shave or haircut. Tailoring shops were also swarmed with men and women eager to take back their stiched dresses.

Muslim-dominated areas of Old Bunder areas and Kudroli wore a festival look as young crowd hung out at various junctions. Banners and buntings greeted the revelers as mosques and streets were illuminated to liven up the atmosphere. Massive hoardings were put up at Kasaigalli, near Bava mahal in Bunder, Bhatkal Bazar, Kandathpalli and Kudroli.

Qawwalis and other music were also being played through megaphones at various jaunts with euphoric youngsters greeting each other. Vegetable shops and fruit vendors also made brisk business and a make-shift mutton stall put up at Kudroli became a center of attraction.

In Kudroli, the Jamia Masjid has been decked up with lightings for the occasion and the youngsters of Royal Friend Circle continued their annual Eid ration distribution. More than 1,000 people collected fitra this time worth Rs 55,000 said Abid Shekh, joint secretary of the association.

“A kit includes Biryani rice, boiled rice, gharam masala, vegetables, chicken or beef and costs approximately Rs 500 per unit. Most of the beneficiaries are poor people from Mulky, Bengare, Vamanjur, Farangipet, B.C. Road,” he says.

“To have a feel of the festival eve, you must visit Kudroli,” said local corporator Aziz Kudroli, who was busy greeting people visiting him at his residence.

Many of the banners contained thought-provoking messages exhorting those celebrating the festival to remember the lesser privileged people. A banner put up by Talent Research Foundation near signal circle at Hampankatta carried a very powerful message inviting people to share their joy with the sick and needy at various hospitals and also share their happiness with the people of other faiths.

At Eidgah Masjid in Lighthouse Hill, the preparations were on for the all important Eid namaz to be performed at 8 in the morning. With the city witnessing steady rains during the day the organizers have made roofing arrangements around the masjid.

People had to bear the brunt of rain fury during the last Eid prayers when thousands of people offered prayers braving rains. “We have made all our efforts to make sure people do not have to undergo the same ordeal. But we hope that there won't be rain tomorrow,” said Rashid Haji, one of the organizers at the Eidgah Masjid.

“We have used zinc sheets so that people won't get drenched even if it rained tomorrow. The ground is also spruced up with a coat of cement-mixed sand,” said Riayz Haji, another volunteer.