Muslim girls buy bangles as part of their last-minute shopping before Id at a market in Rourkela on Tuesday. The festival will be celebrated on Wednesday. Id marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan. The fervour to celebrate Id is at its peak even in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The twin-cities are wearing a festive look for the occasion. “Ramzan helps us realise the pain and suffering of the unfortunate. Quran tells us to fast for a month, which makes us more responsive to our surroundings and the gifts of nature as presented to us by Allah,” said Nilofar Alam, a devout in Bhubaneswar. Brisk sale of clothes is keeping shopkeepers busy in the capital. “People are busy with their last minute Id shopping and the sale has definitely gone up since last week,” says Jiten, a shopkeeper from Bapuji Nagar. In Cuttack, special markets at Oriya Bazar, Dewan Bazar, Buxi Bazar and Kesharpur have been crowded with people busy in shopping for Id. “All the family members are excited as Id ushers in new hopes for us. Moreover, it is also time for re-union of friends and relatives,” said Mansoor Khan, a resident of Oriya Bazar. “It’s time to merry make with family members for having successfully fulfilled the vows of fasting. Moreover, it is a great feeling to celebrate the festival with our friends belonging to other communities,” said Illiyas Sami, a resident of Hatipokhari in Cuttack. A sumptuous spread of delectable cuisine that includes chicken and mutton biryani, kebabs, korma, halim and sweets is prepared on this day. Text: Chandrima Maitra and Vikash Sharma, Picture: Uttam Kumar Pal