Id Puja shopping

As I write this, a new spell of rains has just started in the city. The downpour is moderate – not very heavy going by Met office’s term – but if it continues for a long while, say the entire night, the puja spirit will receive a big jolt.

It has been humid and sticky ever since the torrential rains that started just after Viswakarma Puja. And so a wet spell now is not only welcome but also largely expected.

Meanwhile festival shopping has reached a feverish pitch. At all major market centers and plazas the sea of humans overtakes every inch of space everyday starting late afternoon and continuing well into the night. The shops remain open till at least 10 in the night and yet it is difficult to bring down the shutters without antagonizing shoppers.

This time the Id is almost concurrent with Durga Puja, and places like New Market find themselves completely swamped by eager buyers ready to splurge cash to get hold of their prized items.

Shopowners, harassed as they are in the relentless flow of buyers, however have no reasons to complain. They look tired, they are drenched in sweat, their voice has become hoarse, and yet they are smiling with all their teeth out.

I ventured into some small shopping yesterday in the strong sun, and though it didn’t feel cozy at all, I was happy that the crowd was much thinner. Here are some pics around Gariahat including the Gariahat Mall, which is anchored by a Westside store. The pic in the middle shows me in blue T-shirt, unsmiling and soaked in grimy sweat.