GUWAHATI, Sept 25 � With the much awaited festive season just round the corner, the capital city has been witnessing hectic business in all the major market hubs. Fancy Bazaar, which has always been the most sought-after location for cross sections of the population, is witnessing heavy footfalls this time around too.
The mood of revelry which has been heightened by the change in the weather has affected one and all as everyone is getting ready to enjoy the festivities. Shopping has become a pleasurable experience with the weather becoming milder. According to a trader in Fancy Bazaar, though the latest western wear is in demand among the younger sections, traditional wear has always been hugely popular during the festival season.
�Most of the customers ask for traditional dresses, though western wear is also in demand,� said a trader, adding that sarees in different shades and embellishments have been in huge demand with the prices starting from Rs 1,000 and above.
Other traditional dresses like salwar, kurtis, etc., have also been in demand this season, the prices of these dresses starting from Rs 500 and above.
�This time the weather has become favourable. So I am enjoying my shopping along with my friends,� said Pallavi Barthakur, a young girl working in a private company. Her preference is towards traditional dresses as she offers prayers to the Goddess by visiting one of the puja pandals in new traditional attire.
If the pandal-hoppers are getting ready to soak in the spirit, the different puja committees are gearing up to attract people of all age groups. Like in the previous years, a wide range of themes have been selected by the puja committees on the decorative front. The Guwahati Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samity, Latasil in its 37th year will spend Rs 7.5 lakh for this year�s celebration. On the decoration aspect, the samity has chosen to give the pandal the look of a palanquin.
The Beltola Lakhimandir here, which has every year succeeded in standing out through its unique thematic selection, has come up with an idea to highlight the plight of wild life.
On the other hand, the festive atmosphere is evident at the sweetmeat shops too. The aroma of the familiar jalebis as soon as the evening sets in has been adding to the festive mood of the capital city. This particular sweet is hugely popular during this season and the puja celebrations look incomplete without the presence of this sweet.
