Chand Raat comes alive: Shoppers flock to bangles, henna, readymade garments, sweets outlets across KP
PESHAWAR, March 20 (APP): As the crescent moon heralds the arrival of Eidul Fitr, the streets and bazaars of all cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa come alive with colour, light, and festivity on Chand Raat.
Peshawar being cultural heartbeat of the province, transforms into dazzling hubs of widespread celebrations, where tradition and excitement intertwine especially on Chand Raat amid hectic negotiations between buyers and sellers.
Following Jumatul Wida being the fifth Friday prayer in Ramazan, a surge of shoppers particularly women and girls accompanied by their families have poured into the city’s famed commercial centers and arcades besides bazaars, selecting appropriate garments with matching footwear to look different on Eidul Fitr.
Markets such in Peshawar City and Cantonment shimmered under a decorative lights and buntings, drawing crowds eager to complete their Eid preparations.
Rows of stalls overflowing with glass bangles, shimmering artificial jewelry, and fragrant perfumes created a kaleidoscope of colour and festivity.
Henna artists, seated beneath glowing bulbs at Jinnah Market, skillfully adorned hands with intricate designs, turning the act into both art and ritual on Chand Raat.
“Young girls enthusiasm is overwhelming, showing positive impact on our business,” said henna artist, Naheed Bibi at Meena bazaar Peshawar while talking to APP.
Naheed said that she has received substantial booking by families for hands decoration on Chand Raat, adding girls take interest in modern designs.
In Peshawar with a documented history of nearly 3,000 years old, the atmosphere is electric, filled with laughter, chatter, and the unmistakable anticipation of Eid which will be celebrated on Saturday in Pakistan.
For many people, Chand Raat is more than just last-minute shopping rather it is a cherished cultural tradition and overwhelming warmth. Families stroll through crowded bazaars, while young girls eagerly compare bangles and select henna patterns besides readymade garments with matching shoes, marking the festive transition from Ramadan to Eid.
“Shopping for bangles and henna always doubles her joy of Eid, especially on Chand Raat,” said Anaya Bibi, a young shopper visiting Deans Centre with her parents.
“I had already bought my reasymade suit last Sunday and came again to Peshawar just to decorate my hands by a henna expert on Chand Raat,” 12 years old Anaya who belonged to Nowshera district told APP with a smile.
She said that Kashmiries bangles are her favourite choice on Eid and bought five sets of her favourite item for sisters and herself to look different on Eid.
This year, shopkeepers said the demand for Kashmiri bangles has surged, making them the most sought-after accessory of Eidul Fitr celebrations.
A typical set usually includes a dozen bangles along with four decorative bracelets adorned with small bells (ghungroos), available in a mix of silver, golden, and vibrant multicolour designs.
“These bangles are available in both light and dark shades, allowing customers to match them with their outfits,” Ihtisham Ali, a vendor at Qissa Khwani bazaar told APP.
He said the prices vary depending on weight, design, and quality. In the wholesale market, prices range between Rs500 and Rs800, while in retail, they have climbed to between Rs1,000 and Rs15,00.
These sets were being sold for Rs1200 to Rs1400 few days ago, but increased demand has pushed prices higher especially on Chand Raat to Rs 2000.
Sundas Bibi, a lady shopper at Karimpura Bazaar said she alongwith her daughter came here to decorate hands with henna experts and select Kashmiris bangles for the festive day.
She said the growing popularity of Kashmiri bangles is largely driven by social and digital media trends. “I saw its unique and beautiful designs going viral online, which is why we came to buy them. It seems almost every girl wants to wear Kashmiri bangles this Eid,” she said.
Girls shoppers said the bangles remain an essential part of Eid celebrations. Despite inflation in KP, many are still purchasing their preferred designs, though they now prefer versatile sets that can be worn with multiple outfits.
In addition to Kashmiri bangles, a wide variety of other styles are also available in the market, including glass, metal, glitter, velvet, threadwork, dotted, and fancy bangles. Artificial gold bracelets, gemstone-studded sets, and heavy jewellery-style bangles are also gaining attention.
This year, multicolour bangle sets have also gained popularity, offering greater flexibility to match with different dresses, further boosting their appeal among shoppers.
Alongside traditional items, modern influences were also evident on this Eid.
Temporary henna tattoos and international cosmetic brands such as Wella, Lakme, and Jordana shared shelf space with local favorites. Popular clothing brands like Lee, Wrangler, and Bazoo attracted fashion-conscious buyers seeking the perfect Eid outfit.
Major shopping destinations including Hayatabad malls, Tipu Sultan Road, Peshawar Trade Centre, Shaheen Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, and the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar witnessed a great surge in footfall, reflecting the city’s enduring enthusiasm for Eid festivities.
However, amid the vibrant celebrations, concerns over rising prices cast a slight shadow. Many shoppers voiced frustration at increasing costs of stitched cloths, footwear and sweets, saying that inflation has made it difficult for lower-income and salaried families to fully participate in the seasonal shopping spree.
Despite these challenges, the spirit of Chand Raat remained undiminished in Peshawar where shoppers from.nearby districts arrived.
Besides Peshawari and Charsadda Chappal, great rush was being witnessed on children garments and footwear.
DI Khan sohan halwa, Mardani peera and Rajjar sweets of Charsadda attracted a large number of buyers on the eve of Eidul Fitr.
As the night started deepen, markets and bazaars in Peshawar will continue to buzz with life, laughter, and the sparkle of bangles and henna are setting the stage for a joyous and memorable Eid.
