Patna, Aug. 14: Meat shops in the state capital today opened to a mad rush of buyers, jostling with each other to place the orders.

The jump in demand was understood — today the holy month of Shravan ended and tomorrow is Independence Day, when meat shops in the state capital remain closed.

Many families stick to vegetarian diet during the Shravan month. So the demand for non-vegetarian food items was all the more today.

At Boring Canal Road, buyers were seen making a beeline to buy mutton and chicken. “Today, I want to start my day with chicken. This is a kind of celebration for people like us who have resisted non-vegetarian dishes for over a month,” said Shyam Prasad Singh, a resident of Rajapur.

Another customer, Rakesh Mehta said: “Sunday is an appropriate day for a non-vegetarian feast. Also tomorrow is August 15 when meat shops will remain closed.”