A poultry shop in Patna wears a deserted look. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Nov. 9: Come Chhath Puja and demand and sale of non-vegetarian items such as chicken, mutton and fish nosedive, as most people turn to vegetarian food for almost 10 days starting from Diwali.

Those observing Chhath consume vegetarian food cooked without salt, onions or garlic. Much emphasis is laid on maintaining the purity of the food.

Shops selling chicken and mutton remain partially closed during Chhath as very few people eat non-vegetarian food during this period.

Haider Ali, a chicken shop owner at Boring Canal Road, said: “There is hardly any business these days due to Chhath Puja. Otherwise, I generally cater to at least 50 customers a day and today not even five customers have visited my shop. Even though the price of chicken has gone down, customers are not interested. On normal days, broiler chicken costs Rs 100 and desi chicken Rs 120 but now the rates have come down to Rs 80 and Rs 120 respectively for the two respectively.”

He further said: “Normally, I open my shop at 9am but now I open my shop after 2pm because I know that there is no chance of getting customers.”

Similarly, mutton sellers are also affected. Abdullah Khan, a mutton seller in New Market, said: “Chhath has forced us to nearly shut our shops as there is no business at all. The prices are the same but there is hardly any sale. On normal days, four to five goats are sold in a single day but now things are looking bleak. Instead of opening my shop I feel like waiting till Chhath gets over.”

He further said that he is ready to lower the prices. “I would not mind decreasing the price of mutton but these days people are not even looking at my shop.”

The Telegraph asked few devotees regarding this matter. A devotee, Bharti Sinha, said: “It is a festival connected with purity and devotion to the sun god. It is believed that the wishes of those observing Chhath with serenity and purity are fulfilled.”

She further said: “During Chhath Puja, devotees cook food with dry wood on new ovens made of brick and soil and the cooked food is the prasad or offering to the Sun God. In fact, garlic and onions are not used during Chhath because it is not considered pure. Not eating non-vegetarian for at least 20 days will not harm our body and it is good as it helps to control animal sacrifice.”

Even fish trade is affected due to Chhath.

Gopal, a fisherman at Rajapurpul, said: “These days there is no trade at all. Fish supplies from Hyderabad, Bengal and Orissa dip because of lack of demand.”