Srinagar, October 5
On the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, the traditional fervour normally witnessed ahead of the festival continues to remain missing in most parts of the Kashmir Valley.

The markets in and around Lal Chowk, city square in Srinagar, had remain shut for the past one month after the devastating floods. Eid shoppers have mainly shifted to Jamia Masjid market in the old city. As most of the top bakeries were located at Lal Chowk, people are seen buying bakery products from the uptown Sanatnagar area and Hazratbal on the banks of Dal Lake.

Eid celebrations are expected to remain subdued in most parts, as people are picking up the pieces of their lives in the flood aftermath. Both mainstream and separatist leaders have already called for austere celebrations.

Eid-ul-Azha celebrations usually begin after the special congregational prayers that are held across the Valley. The largest congregation is usually held at Eidgah in the old city. As per Anjuman-e-Auqaf Jamia Masjid, prayers at Eidgah will be offered at 10 am. Special prayers will also be offered there in view of the destruction caused by the floods.

After Eid prayers, people usually sacrifice cattle to honour Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son before Allah. Later, sacrificial meat is distributed among the kith and kin, besides the needy. Eid greetings are also exchanged while ‘eidi’ (gift) is distributed among children.

While Kashmiris are known for cooking a range of dishes, mostly non-vegetarian, on Eid, many people have decided to go for austerity. “We were able to shift back to our residence yesterday only and the kitchen is yet to be properly set up. There is no reason for us to hold loud celebrations,” said Sajad Ahmad, a resident of SK Colony, Qamarwari, an area that had remained submerged for over three weeks.

A trader, who comes each year to sell his stock of animals, said he had brought his flock of sheep and goats and was hoping to fetch good prices on Eid. But more than 50 per cent of his buyers have not turned up this year, he said. Even those who come and buy animals for sacrifice are doing it partially, he said.