India's Festival Economy
Ramzan and Eid Markets
How Ramzan nights and Eid bring bustling food markets, clothing sales and charity, from Hyderabad's haleem to Mumbai's Mohammed Ali Road.
Ramzan (Ramadan) and Eid create lively markets.
Night markets
- After iftar (breaking the fast), markets buzz late into the night.
- Famous food streets include Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai and Old City areas of Hyderabad.
Haleem
Hyderabadi haleem received a GI tag in 2010; restaurants sell huge quantities during Ramzan.
Shopping
- Clothes, shoes and attar (perfume) sales rise before Eid.
- Dates and dry fruit demand peaks.
Charity
- Zakat and fitra (charity before Eid) redistribute money to the poor.
- Charity boosts spending by poorer families.
Small traders
Many street vendors and small shops earn much of their income during Ramzan.
Eid al-Adha
Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) drives a large livestock market.
The haleem season
A Hyderabad restaurant that normally sells biryani turns to haleem during Ramzan, selling thousands of servings a day.
Thinking festive economies are only Hindu festivals
Ramzan and Eid drive large markets too.
Key takeaways
- Ramzan nights bring bustling food markets.
- Hyderabadi haleem has a GI tag since 2010.
- Clothes and dates sales peak before Eid.
- Zakat and fitra redistribute money.
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