From prayers, Eidi to savory platters: City celebrates Eid with style & substance

Bhopal: Almost rising with the sun on a bright and breezy Saturday, the city began to gather early in their pearly whites, blending with the celebratory ambience of Eid-ul-Fitr. Outside Idgahs and mosques, long rows formed quietly, the early light catching the freshly ironed kurtas and new shoes that still felt unfamiliar to the feet. A brief stillness preceded the prayers, a pause that held the weight of a month of fasting, reflection, silent devotion and anticipation. And then, almost at once, the fleeting silence and invocation of the Almighty, gave way to merriment as people, who knelt to pray, rose and turned to each other, shaking hands and throwing themselves into each other's arms for a brotherly embrace on Eid. Even as the crowd of worshippers started to melt soon after, some lingered at the prayer sites, suspending their joyous exchanges for a few minutes and falling back into a reflective silence.The children, meanwhile, had already shifted focus to other priorities. Eight-year-old Faizan pulled out a few currency notes from his pocket, counting them quickly and slipping them back in. "I got some already," he said, grinning ear to ear. "I'll get more when we are back home." As the morning of silent prayers gave way to a joyous afternoon, the crowds in the Old City lanes split into smaller gatherings. Households held the aura and celebratory fervour of Eid, amid continued comings and goings of family, friends, relatives and neighbours. Exuding a festive spirit, people were seen walking in and greeting everyone, settling themselves down for a bit in drawing rooms and partaking of the festive spread on offer before taking their leave to call on their next host. The age-old custom of sharing Eid greetings through unannounced visits continued through the day in a city, which seldom shies away from extending welcoming arms to visitors — festival or not."You hardly get to sit on Eid," said 42-year-old Shabana Khan, as she made repeated runs between the burning stove in the kitchen and the living room, adding, "If you sit, someone arrives at the door. If no one comes to visit, you go to someone else's place." In old neighbourhoods, this back-and-forth continued through narrow streets where almost every house had visitors on Eid. Children sat in corners comparing their Eidi (gifts, mostly cash, seen as a token of blessing on Eid) in hushed tones, wary not to disclose the exact amount they received. "You're not supposed to tell anyone," said 12-year-old Sameer, lowering his voice. "However, that doesn't stop everyone from trying to figure it out."The fizz of celebration seemed to settle a bit as the day wore on. Curtains were drawn, fans ran at full speed, and the idle chatter stretched longer. Some lay down to rest, while others scrolled through their phones busily, replying to messages they couldn't answer earlier.By sunset, markets and street corners began to fill up. Food stalls clocked heavy footfalls, while small eateries were packed with families and groups of friends. Ice cream carts did brisk business as children pulled their parents from one stop to another. "This is the best part," says Ayaan, standing with friends near a busy street. "You step out and keep running into people you know."For vendors, it is one of the busiest days of the year. "We don't get a break today," says a dessert seller, handing out plates as fast as he could. "But no one is complaining. Everyone is in a good mood."On Eid, the Old City is in no rush to wind down even as night falls. Shops stay open, though the crowds of revellers are thinner. People don't mind stretching their day a wee bit longer, trying to lap up the ambience as much as they can. Back at their homes, the flow of guests continues unimpeded amid the aroma of sheer khurma, steaming sewaiyan and other lip-smackers rising from serving bowls. As someone takes his leave, someone else arrives at the door. "On Eid, you don't turn anyone away," said Parveen. "You make space, somehow. That's what Eid is about."The day doesn't belong in one place. It shifts constantly, from the prayer ground in the morning to living rooms in the afternoon and out on the streets by the evening. There is no fixed plan, no clear pause. It simply moves, carried by people going from one place to another, keeping the celebrations going. By the time the day is finally done, it leaves behind small reminders of what had happened in the preceding hours — half-finished boxes of sweets on tables, missed calls waiting to be returned, and quiet plans to meet again before the week is over.