PESHAWAR, Mar 18 (APP):As holy Ramazan comes close to an end, Peshawar begins to glow quite literally as strings of lights flicker above shopfronts, narrow lanes hum with chatter, and the city’s historic charm transform into a living tapestry of colour, tradition, and anticipation ahead of Chand Raat.
From Peshawari chappal to Kashmiris bangles: Eid shopping craze peaks ahead of Chand Raat
By Fakhar-e-Alam
PESHAWAR, Mar 18 (APP):As holy Ramazan comes close to an end, Peshawar begins to glow quite literally as strings of lights flicker above shopfronts, narrow lanes hum with chatter, and the city’s historic charm transform into a living tapestry of colour, tradition, and anticipation ahead of Chand Raat.
In the heart of Qissa Khwani bazaar and crowded Meena bazaar besides jampacked Saddar bazaar, the story is the same as it has been for generations, attracting shoppers of all ages completing shopping.
Families weave through the bustling crowds, children clutching shopping bags while parents negotiate prices with practiced ease. Every purchase, no matter how small, carries a sense of ritual amid happiness.
From the sturdy elegance of Peshawari chappals to the delicate shimmer of bangles, Eid shopping here is more than a seasonal errand rather it is a shared cultural experience.
Across Jahangirpura, Meena Bazaar, Universiry Road, and Saddar Bazaar, the crowds swell after iftar. The air carries a mix of laughter, bargaining voices, and the aroma of street food.
Shops remain open late into the night, welcoming a steady stream of customers determined to complete their Eid preparations.
For 12-year-old Malaika Khan, the experience of shopping is magical. Standing beside her father, her eyes move quickly from one stall to another, dazzled by rows of glittering bangles.
“Shopping for bangles and henna tattoos always doubles the joy of Eid,” she says, her excitement barely contained. “I will come back on Chand Raat for decoration of hands by henna expert.”
Her words echo what many feel this is not just shopping rather it is a moment of belonging and enduring traditions.
Men gather around footwear stalls at Jhangirpura and Qissa Khwani where the iconic Peshawari chappal remains a staple. At a small shop in Qissa Khwani Bazaar, shopkeeper Umar Ali arranges rows of handcrafted pairs being sold like a hot cake.
“We have introduced softer leather and updated designs this year,” he says. “But the essence is the same as people still want tradition.”
For customers like Meena Gul, that tradition is non-negotiable.
“My Eid feels incomplete without Peshawari chappal,” she says. “It’s comfortable and part of who we are.”
Nearby, women crowd jewelry stalls, drawn to the sparkle of Kashmiri bangles and the intricate designs of artificial ornaments. The rhythmic clinking of glass bangles creates a soundtrack unique to this time of year.
Henna stalls arguably the heart of Chand Raat are already busy. Artists sit patiently, sketching floral patterns and intricate motifs onto eager hands. Young girls compare designs while others opt for trendy henna tattoos, blending tradition with modern flair.
As Chand Raat nears, these stalls will become the epicenter of celebration—places where friendships are renewed, laughter flows freely, and the night stretches longer than usual.
For many, applying henna is not just adornment; it is a memory in the making.
However, beneath the festive glow, a quieter concern lingers. Many shoppers speak of rising prices of readymade clothes, shoes, and cosmetics that strain household budgets.
Tailors, overwhelmed with orders, have already closed their books, pushing last-minute shoppers toward ready-made garments.
“Eid comes once a year,” says Jan Khan, shopper browsing fabric in a crowded lane of Shafi Market. “We adjust, but we don’t let go of the celebration.”
From Namak Mandi to Karimpura Market, the city pulses with life. Food vendors fry samosas and jalebis, their stalls surrounded by hungry shoppers taking brief breaks before diving back into the crowd.
Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up security and traffic management to ensure that the celebrations remain safe and accessible for all.
As Peshawar counts down to Eid, its markets tell a deeper story signifying of resilience, continuity, and joy. Amid inflation and long queues, what stands out is not the rush, but the joys spirit of Eid.
In the sparkle of bangles, the scent of henna, and the steady footsteps of families moving through crowded streets, Eid is already here, which alive in the hearts of the people, long before the moon is sighted.
