By Borun Kumar Dash

Shopping centres, malls and stores in the capital city are witnessing a huge rush of customers ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the country's Hindu community.

The businessmen were a bit doubtful about sales ahead of puja due to the unexpected situation created after the fall of the fascist Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

However, the apprehension is now over after the interim government led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus was formed.

On Friday, a huge rush of shoppers was seen at the capital's Bashundhara City Shopping Complex ahead of Durga Puja. Clothing outlets of different local brands including Aarong, Deshi Dosh, Infinity, Anjan's were seen overcrowded with consumers.

The same picture was seen in shoe stores. Consumers were seen busy purchasing their chosen items at Bata, Bay Emporium, Apex and other brands of shoes there.

According to the retailers, sales are getting better this time on the occasion of Durga Puja. Many could not go to neighboring Kolkata for shopping as they did not get their visas on time. Because of this reason, they are now shopping in the country as a result sales in the country's market are getting better.

Most of the fashion brands, apparel retailers and electronics brands have come up with new products and providing various new offers including discounts ahead of Durga Puja.

Businessmen estimated that about 70 percent of the total sales on the occasion of festivals in Bangladesh are held during the two Eids and the rest during Pahela Baishakh and Durga Puja.

Traders also said that sarees and salwar-kameez are in high demand during puja. Buyers are more interested in katan, silk and designer sarees.
Jamdani is also in high demand.

Poli Dey, a resident of Kathal Bagan in the capital, came to Bashundhara shopping mall with her son and daughter to shop for Puja.

When asked, she told BSS that her family has spent about Taka 40,000 for shopping in the last two weeks. She purchased panjabees, shirts, pants and other accessories for her father, husband and brothers. Apart from this, sarees and other accessories were purchased for her mother and other close relatives.

In addition to Bashundhara shopping mall, massive crowds of shoppers were also seen in New Market, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Eastern Mollika, Motaleb Plaza, Eastern Plaza, Jamuna Future Park, Dhanmondi and Old Dhaka's shopping malls in the capital.

Hindu community members are also purchasing from small shops in their localities.

This correspondent met Saikat Das, a private bank employee, who was shopping at Hawkers Market in Dhanmondi. "I bought eight sarees for my mother, wife and two sisters."

Saikat bought shirts, T-shirts, pants and shoes for himself. "Durga Puja is our biggest festival. There is joy in giving gifts. This time the market is very crowded. It seems that sales are higher than other times," he said.

Proprietor of Fahad Fashion House of Gauchia Market Farhad Hossain Saju said sales are better this year. Sales will continue even during the Durga Puja too like previous years, he hoped.

Saiful Islam, the owner of Bichitra Cosmetics, said that the sales of cosmetics items continue throughout the year and still going on but demand increases ahead of any festivals including the puja.

The traditional shops of Old Dhaka's Shankhari Bazaar have become bustling with shoppers likewise every year centering Durga Puja.

Sales of various items conch shells, idol clothes, bells, pots, earthen lamps, agarbatis or dhup kathi (incense sticks), deities' garlands, crowns, sarees, dhoti, panjabees and other ornaments are going on in full swing ahead of Durga Puja.

Soumitra Das of Maa Manasa Shankh Shilpalaya said that conch, alta (red dye), vermilion, earthen lamps and other materials are also being sold in large scale.

Sharadiya Durga Puja will formally begin on October 9 with Maha Shasthi. On October 13 it will come to an end with the immersion of the idols on the day of Bijoya Dashami.