As Eid approaches, shopping for loved ones becomes a key part of the celebrations. With Eid ul-Fitr just around the corner, people across Dhaka are heading to markets to purchase everything from sarees and three-piece suits to children's wear, panjabis, pajamas, t-shirts, and more, bringing joy to their families and friends.
From the early hours of Friday, March 21, crowds could be seen gathering in several of the city's busy markets.
A visit to New Market that morning revealed the hustle and bustle of eager shoppers. The market was beautifully decorated, with a wide range of clothing, trendy outfits, shoes, bags, and decorations filling the shops, catering to every shopper's needs.
Each store in the shopping malls and markets had made special preparations for the Eid season. To ensure the safety of the crowds, temporary police and military service centers were set up in New Market, with loudspeakers broadcasting safety reminders.
It was clear that popular shopping destinations like Gausia, Chandni Chowk, and New Market were attracting people from all over Dhaka and nearby areas. These markets are especially crowded during festive seasons, offering a wide variety of products that appeal to a diverse range of shoppers.
Fahima Akter, a shopper at New Market, shared, "Every year, I shop for my family and relatives here at New Market. The crowd is only going to get bigger in the coming days, so I decided to finish my shopping early."
For many, shopping means heading to well-known spots like Bangabazar, New Market, Chandni Chowk, and Krishi Market. However, traveling to these popular locations from the northern parts of the city can be costly and time-consuming. As a result, people from areas like Badda often prefer to shop at more local markets.
Badda itself is home to several shopping malls and smaller shops. Vendors have also set up stalls around these malls, selling clothes and other items.
The Lutfun Shopping Complex in Middle Badda, for example, hosts around 250 shops across two floors. The area is less crowded compared to other markets, and it offers a variety of items, including three-piece suits, scarves, burqas, panjabis, sarees, shoes, and jewelry, at affordable to mid-range prices.
In addition to shopping malls, street markets are thriving across Dhaka. Footpath stalls in areas like Gulistan have transformed into lively Eid shopping spots, attracting people of all ages.
The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of New Market Police Station, Mohsen Uddin, stated, "Police patrol teams are continuously monitoring the area. Security is ensured with police presence at key points, and plainclothes officers are also keeping a watch. So far, there have been no incidents."
