Chand Raat markets light up Pune city with Eid preparations in full swing

Pune: Eid celebrations are in full swing across the city, with markets, homes and streets filled with festive cheer. Markets in Camp, Mominpura, Kausarbaug and Khadki were packed with last-minute shoppers hunting for embroidered kurtas, shimmering bangles, fragrant dry fruits, and other festive essentials. Henna artists worked their magic on eager hands, while vendors called out deals on everything from attar to delicate lace dupattas. "The energy in the market is unmatched. We wait all year for this night, Chand Raat, when we can shop and celebrate together," said Shafiq Ahmed, a Camp resident.At Fakhri Hills Chowk on Salunke Vihar Road, giant LCD screens played animated Eid scenes, drawing curious onlookers who paused to take photos and videos for their social media. The decorations, combined with the cheerful mood of passersby, added a festive charm to the streets.As the shopping frenzy winds down, homes fill with the rich aroma of Eid delicacies, signalling the next phase of the celebration. Kitchens were in overdrive, with pots of biryani sealed for slow-cooking on dum and trays of sheer khurma waiting to be served. "My friends wait for my Eid biryani every year, and this time, I'm making an extra batch just for them," said Ayesha Khan, a Kondhwa resident who loves sharing her festive feast with non-Muslim friends.Every household had its own take on the classic dish—some preferring the slow-cooked mutton version, others opting for chicken and quick pressure-cooking, but all of them packed with aromatic spices and love. "Sheer khurma is the taste of Eid for me. Not only was the recipe passed down through many generations in my family, but so was the pot in which we make it. No matter how busy we are with our own chores during the festival, my family always gathers around for that first spoonful together. The slow-simmered milk, toasted vermicelli, and generous mix of sliced nuts make it a dish that carries both nostalgia and celebration in every bite," said Sana Khatoon, a resident of Khadki.Beyond feasts and shopping, the festival is also about prayers, togetherness, community and compassion. "Every year, I am invited to my neighbour's home for Eid lunch, which is an irresistible spread of mutton biryani, salad, and sheer khurma. The moment it starts cooking, and the aromas start wafting through our building, I find myself craving it. Some of my colleagues also send over containers filled with biryani and sheer khurma. By the end of the day, my fridge is stocked with enough home-cooked Eid food to last me another day, and I love every bit of it," said Anil Kulkarni, a resident of Boat Club Road.Eid is also a time to give back. Shailya Shaikh, who, along with her family, distributes packets of food to underprivileged people in Khadki during the festival, said, "Every Eid morning, we prepare and distribute freshly cooked meals, including biryani, fruit, and sweets, to families who may not have the means to celebrate. The joy we see on their faces when they receive a warm meal represents the true spirit of the festival, reminding us why giving is just as important as celebrating."With everyone craving a taste of the festival's rich and aromatic dishes, home chefs across the city have seen a surge in biryani orders. "This year, I've had more orders than ever before. Everyone wants that rich, slow-cooked mutton or chicken biryani experience. Some vegetarian customers have ordered vegetable or paneer biryani as well," said Farheen Khan, a home chef from Kondhwa.