Eid shopping and festivities took over Kashmir Valley on Thursday as the fasting month of Ramadan closes paving the way for Eid-ul-fitr which will be celebrated on Friday.

Markets, big and small were swarmed by thousands of shoppers mostly women who are out to make purchases for Eid.

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Almost all shops witnessed brisk business particularly those selling readymade kids wear, footwear and ladies garments. Shops selling bakery items, vegetables, fruits, mutton and poultry were overcrowded as shoppers jostled for making purchases.

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Traffic crawled on main roads as vehicles and pedestrians struggled to make their way. The city centre Lal Chowk was particularly overcrowded. 

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Eid marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and offer a late night prayer ‘Tarawih’. People wake up early in the morning for a pre-dawn meal and then break the fast at sunset.

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Dates are a favourite food item to break the fast and date sellers do good business during the month. It is estimated that Kashmir valley consumed dates worth Rs 4 crore this Ramadan.