Shopping centres, malls and stores in different parts of the capital are witnessing a huge Last-minute rush of customers on Friday as the city prepares to welcome the advent of Goddess Durga.
The Sharadiya Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival for Hindu community, has already begun on October 16.
From upscale shopping centres to bustling footpaths, the capital is teeming with eager shoppers making their final purchases. A visit to various markets and street stalls across the city reveals a significant increase in the number of shoppers.
On Friday, the last weekend ahead of the final days of Puja, 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.
Retailers said sales are better this year than last year. They also welcomed the government’s decision to keep shopping malls, markets and shops open until 10 p.m. marking the festival.
This year, matching outfits for the entire family, sold as “family combo packages” are attracting considerable interest.
Meanwhile, various businesses are offering special discounts on festival shopping. Fashion houses have also introduced special collections.
Clothing markets and showrooms have stocked a variety of colourful outfits for women, including three-piece sets, Jamdani sarees, Katan sarees, lehengas and handloom sarees.
Men can choose from a wide range of dhotis, short kurtas (panjabis), shirts, T-shirts and trousers. Shoe shops are also offering various styles of footwear, while colourful outfits for children are available in abundance.
A visit to the capital’s Aziz Super Market also revealed an impressive collection of Puja outfits in its shops. The market’s Puja collection features panjabis adorned with a variety of religious motifs.
At a clothing store named Bisarga, a couple was seen choosing matching sarees and panjabis.
A salesperson at the Bisarga showroom said that motifs such as the trident, Om, and swastika are commonly used in Puja clothing designs, and this year is no exception. Such motifs are particularly popular in children’s clothing. This year, the store has created outfits featuring around 40 different designs.
Nobomita Saha had already bought her clothes for Durga Puja. But as she searched for shoes at Dhaka’s Chowrangi Market and Gausia Market, completing her festive look was proving more expensive than she had expected.
“The pairs I like are priced beyond my budget. So, this time, instead of buying expensive shoes, I’m looking for something good within my budget,” she said.
Imran Gazi , a shopkeeper at Noorjahan Super Market, said customer footfall had increased significantly ahead of the festival and sales were good. He expressed hope that sales would remain well throughout the Puja season.
Responding to longstanding demands from the Hindu community, the current government led by Tarique Rahman has extended the Durga Puja holiday to three days this year through an executive order.