Cuttack, the city of brotherhood, decks up for Eid celebration (Watch Video)

Cuttack: The Silver City of Cuttack has decked up for the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the most auspicious and holy festivals of Islam.

Several popular mosques in the city including Qadam e Rasool, Paltan Masjid and Jama Masjid have been decorated with colourful lights for the festival.

The festival will be either celebrated on April 22 (Saturday) or on April 23 (Sunday) depending upon the sighting of holy moon in Odisha sky, sources said.

People from the Muslim community are now busy in shopping dress materials, cosmetics and food items for the Eid celebration.

Several shops have come up in different parts of the city to cater to the demand of the people for the festival.

The shopkeepers have brought food items, perfumes and other goods from cities like Mumbai and Kolkata in India. Besides, they have also imported essential commodities from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tunisia and other countries across the globe, sources said.

“The people usually prefer food items like dates, Laccha, Faluda, Sarbat and Halua for Eid celebration. We have brought these items from several places in India and abroad to meet their demand,” said a trader.

It is learnt that the traders have brought at least 70 varieties of perfume for the celebration. Special caps have been procured from Medina, Ajmer and Bareilly, he added.

“The people in Saudi Arabia sighted the holy moon yesterday and they are celebrating Eid today. The people of Muslim community in India usually celebrate the festival a day after the celebration of the same in Saudi Arabia. The festival will be either celebrated tomorrow or day after tomorrow depending upon the sighting of moon in Odisha sky. Our Chand Committee will take the final decision in this regard,” said Ramzan Khan, president of Qadam e Rasool managing committee.

The Commissionerate Police, meanwhile, stepped up security across the city for smooth celebration of Eid.

“Cuttack is the city of brotherhood. The city is well-known for its religious tolerance. We will deploy 20 platoons of police force across the city for smooth celebration of Eid. We are also keeping an eye on mischief mongers and social media to avoid any untoward incident during the festival,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pinak Mishra.