Women throng markets in Peshawar for last minute shopping

People turn out in droves to buy traditional apparel for the festive occasion

PESHAWAR: With just a few days left before Eidul Fitr, shopping in Peshawar has reached a frenzied pace with shoppers frenetically rushing to markets to pick up last minute items.

The heaviest rush is being witnessed on bangle and henna shops where women are flocking in droves to buy from a wide array of colourful bangles made of either glass or metal.

The pleasant change in weather, owing to the rains, has seen the rush of women, of all ages, at bangles and henna stalls increase.



Moreover, to lure customers, shopkeepers have beautifully decorated their shops with buntings and colourful lights which add to the festive aura of the markets.

Girls’ accompanied by parents and guardians are seen in large numbers shopping, purchasing bangles and applying henna on their hands at artistically decorated stalls set up in different areas of cantonment and city.

The distribution of bangles and henna as gifts among girls on Eid days is an age old tradition of the subcontinent and girls take an acute interest in purchasing henna and bangles in the sprawling markets of Peshawar. Sparkling bangles, jewellery, bright clothes along with perfumes and matching footwear are a delight for young girls who continue to search for the perfect ensemble in the crowded markets till late night.

Shafi Market in the Cantonment area witnessed a large number women and girls who flooded the stores. A number of new stores offering henna and bangles, which had recently opened in the market, attracted a large number of shoppers with discounted offerings and bright and colourful decor.

Many shopkeepers have also set up their stalls in other large markets of the city including on Jinnah Street, Deans Trade Centre, Gora Bazaar in the cantonment, Meena Bazaar and at other frequented markets in Peshawar. The stalls are offering different kinds of henna apart from traditional cosmetics, earrings, gleaming bangles, embroidered clothes, jewellery, handbags, and shoes.

Meena Gul, 25, who was visiting a store along with her father at the Deans Trade Centre, said that shopping for bangles and henna always doubles her joy on Eid.

“I have bought bangles and a readymade suit, but I will return on Chand Raat to decorate my hands with henna.” She said that pre-fabricated henna tattoos are also available in the market and are quite easy to apply since all one has to do is paste it on the hands or feet. She added that such applications can also be removed easily.

“I have bought 20 sets of bangles and henna for myself and my relatives and will use it during the Eid days since my Eid is incomplete without bangles and henna,” Gul added.

“Buying shimmering glass bangles which match the colours of my Eid dresses and getting my hands and feet decorated with henna are essential features of Eid festivities which multiply our joy,” said Malaika, who hails from Nowshera.

“This is the cheapest way of taking along your friends and relatives as one can buy a full set of bangles and henna for less than Rs150,” she said.



“[Without bangles and henna] my Eid is incomplete,” she added. Malaika further said that she too would return on Chaand Raat to have her hands decorated with henna.  Noting that young girls admire henna designs, she complained over the skyrocketing prices of some items which were being sold as “imported goods”.

“The prices of the ‘Eid Special Offers’ items are higher than those charged last year and are beyond the purchasing capacity of the middle and salaried class,” she remarked.

Special bangles and henna stalls were also set up in Hayatabad, on Tipu Sultan Road, at the Peshawar Trade Centre and Deans Trade Centre, Shaheen Bazaar and the women-only Meena Bazaar. The ancient market of Qassa Khwani Bazaar too was overflowing with buyers, especially after iftar.

Experts in henna decoration of hands have also set up their makeshifts shops in city markets to cash in on the situation.

These women experts said their business had been booming and hoped that it would reach its peak on Chand Raat.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2017.