Eid mood builds as shoppers turn to attar, caps in Dhaka
Attar prices vary widely, from Tk50 to Tk4,000
A festive yet devotional mood is building in Dhaka's markets as demand rises for attar, prayer mats, beads and caps ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Traders and buyers say demand for these items has increased in the final days of Ramadan.
With only a few days left before Eid, shopping focus is shifting towards prayer-related items. Many have already completed clothing purchases and are now finalising preparations with items linked to Eid prayers and worship.
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Markets in Baitul Mukarram, Gulistan, Paltan and New Market are now lined with shops selling caps, attar and prayer mats, drawing steady crowds throughout the day.
At Baitul Mukarram today (18 March), shops displayed neatly arranged prayer caps of various designs alongside prayer mats and bottles of attar. Buyers moved from stall to stall – some matching caps with their panjabis, others testing fragrances or checking prices.
Traders said Turkish, Pakistani and Chinese prayer mats are available across a wide price range. Turkish mats are selling between Tk400 and Tk12,000, Pakistani ones between Tk600 and Tk1,000, and Chinese mats from Tk70 to Tk300.
Zainul Abedin, who came to Baitul Mukarram to buy a new prayer mat, said he purchased a Turkish one for Tk550, drawn to its design.
Kamruzzaman, who came from Motijheel, said he purchased attar and caps for his family for Eid prayers, though he felt attar prices were slightly higher this year.
Foyez Ahmed, a trader at Urmi Emporium House, said the pace of sales shifts as Eid draws closer.
"Today is the 28th of Ramadan. Compared to other days, sales have picked up since the afternoon. Over the past few days, prayer mats and caps sold more, but demand for attar and prayer beads is expected to rise further in the evening," he said.
A wide range of attar is available in the market, including White, Elito, Quraishi, Surgati, Oud, Chocolate Musk Sultan and Jannatul Ferdous. Other varieties such as Figo, Havoc, Sequoia and Golden Scent are also being sold.
Buyers were seen dabbing attar on their hands, pausing to take in the scent before making a choice. Three millilitres of White and Oud attar are selling for Tk150, Surgati for Tk100, while Elito and Quraishi are priced at Tk950.
At Foyez Ahmed's shop, attar prices range from Tk50 to Tk4,000. Musk amber is selling at Tk4,000 per millilitre.
Another trader, Afzal, said Dubai's Haramain attar is available at Tk440 for 15 milligrams as a relatively affordable option.
