Durga gain popularity
Clothing markets in the capital have become increasingly busy ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community, which is set to begin on October 16.
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.
Brands and retailers, including Bishwo Rang, Aarong, La Reve, Pride, Infinity, Anjan’s, Sailor, Yellow, Deshi Dosh, Gentle Park, Richman and Illiyeen have launched new 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.
Talking to BSS, Beauty Rani, who was found shopping at a New Market clothing store yesterday, said they are completing shopping early as they have planned to visit ancestral home this year during long Puja vacation this year.
Atiqur Islam, 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 has extended the Durga Puja holiday to three days this year through an executive order.
Combined with the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, the extended break will give government employees a total of five consecutive days off, from October 20 to 24. The longer holiday has added a new dimension to this year’s celebrations.
A visit to Bashundhara City Shopping Mall revealed brisk trading at children’s clothing stores on the ground floor. Walking through the mall, shoppers could be seen buying sarees, panjabis and footwear. Almost everyone was carrying shopping bags, and every shop had customers.
Soumik Das, chief executive officer (CEO) of Rang Bangladesh, said Puja had now become a major retail season, much like Eid and Pahela Baishakh, requiring special preparations.
The company began by introducing a limited range of Puja clothing collections around 2005, and by 2009–2010 it had established a strong market presence. Since then, annual sales have grown by 15 to 20 percent, and the company is now planning a 45-day sales campaign, he said.
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.
Meanwhile, a visit to Shankhari Bazar in the capital revealed crowds spilling into the narrow streets, with shops on both sides bustling with customers.
Many were purchasing items for deities, including conch-shell bangles (shankha), conch shells, vermilion (sindoor), crowns, garlands, bells, painted ritual pots and decorative lamps in various designs. Many women were also buying shankha bangles and sindoor for personal use.
Dipankar Sur, owner of Ashirbad, a clothing and cosmetics shop told BSS that the crowds in Shankhari Bazar reflected the festive atmosphere of Durga Puja. Sales were going well, and he expect them to increase further as the festival approaches.
Sudip Sarkar, owner of Sajghar, said sales of lamps and traditional lights continued throughout the year but rose considerably during Durga Puja. Wholesale traders from different parts of the country visit the market to purchase them. The lamps’ in diverse designs are a particular attraction. Depending on their colours and patterns, the lamps are sold for between Tk 40 and Tk 200.
Antara Sarkar, a government employee from Rampura in the capital, visited Ma Monosa Shankha Shilpalaya to buy shankha bangles.
She said, “I regularly come here to buy shankha bangles. However, wearing new ones during Puja is essential, so I come every year before Durga Puja to buy them. I bought one pair for Tk 1,000. I will buy another pair after finding a design I like, as I plan to have it embellished with gold.”
Sadananda Nag, owner of Ma Monosa Shankha Shilpalaya, told BSS that the shop sold shankha bangles throughout the year, but sales increase during Durga Puja.
