CELEBRATING EID IN THE WALLED CITY

The bright, colourful shops and crowds of happy shoppers bring the walled city alive on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr or meethi eid marking the end of month-long fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

The city’s Muslims, dressed in traditional attires offered prayers in the morning followed by day long feasting, shopping and merry-making.

The nearby markets of Jama Masjid did brisk business as clothes, footwear, jewellery and accessories were the most sought after products being bought by the revelers.

This year, a wide variety of skullcaps attracted many.

Caps made of velvet and imported from Bangladesh - called *turki topis  were quite popular and could be bought for Rs.50 (85 cents) a piece. Also in demand were the Asian caps which are made in Mumbai and sell for anything between Rs.25 and Rs. 50.

In addition to the skull caps, shopkeepers selling 'ittar', which is a natural perfume made by blending herbs and flowers, are also doing brisk business.

However, the highlight of the festival remains food and not just the locals but Delhiites from all over the city throng old Delhi to get a taste of the elaborate platter on offer - leaving them spoilt for choice.

Shops and stalls with huge woks and tandoors dish out mouth-watering items like mutton nahari, korma, keema naans, biryani, kebabs and the like that make you drool for more while desserts like rabri-faluda, paneer jalebi and meetha samosa further encourage the glutton inside you.

Though, Nahari - a stew of slow cooked meat with light spices -- is perhaps the favourite dish during the season, especially eaten by those fasting, as the day's first meal before dawn.

Among other favourites are khajla (pancakes) and pheni (vermicelli), which are to be eaten with milk and are especially prepared during the Ramadan month.

Khajla is soaked in milk for a few hours before consumption while pheni is shallow fried and milk and sugar are added.