As Eid-ul-Fitr, the great religious festival of the Muslim community, is getting nearer, prayer caps (tupi) and atar (perfume) are in high demand after dresses and accessories in Khulna.
Hawkers and vendors on various roads and intersections, including Dak Bunglow area, outside KDA New Market, Rupsha ferry ghat, Court Road, Doulatpur, Khalishpur and Fultala are selling caps, atar (perfume), jainamaz (prayer mat), tasbihs (prayer beads), surma (powder for eyes) and meswak (wooden tooth brush)  in full swing.
The seasonal cap sellers from various districts and upazilas are also busy selling caps along with the regular vendors.
Caps are being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 400 per piece, tasbih is priced from Tk 25 to Tk 500, jainamaz is priced from Tk 200 to Tk 2,000.
According to vendors, cap and atar sales will increase after the 25th  Ramzan and continue till before Eid.
Aiming at those days, hundreds of varieties and eye-catching caps and jainamazs for customers, said some vendors.
The people of Muslims community are now busy in buying their attires of their choice despite their limited income.  All the city markets of Khulna are busy selling their commodities to the shoppers.
Abdus Sattar, a resident of Mujgunni Residential Area under Khalishpur police station in the city, bought three caps from a hawker in the Dak Bunglow area at Tk 75 each.
He bought Eid clothes for his family members from Khulna Shopping Complex.
“Eid shopping is incomplete without the prayer cap. I bought caps from the hawkers because of the lower cost,” Sattar said.
Eight years old Tahmid, who came to the market with his father, said he already got couple of dresses from his parents and relatives for Eid, so now he wants to buy and eye-catching cap (topi) matching with his red colour panjabee.
“Atar (perfume) and cap (topi) are integral parts for Eid prayers. That’s why, along with my sons I came here to buy new caps to attend Eid prayers,” said Tariq Hasan, a customer of Rupsha ghat area in the city.
In addition to local caps, caps imported from India and China is also available. Chinese caps in a variety designs and colour are available for Tk 50-Tk 120 per piece, while caps from India are available at Tk 30-Tk 50.  The local caps of different companies are priced between Tk 20-Tk 250. Caps for kids are also available at Tk 50-Tk 100.
Nurunnabi, a street vendor outside the KDA New Market area, said his caps cost between Tk 30-Tk 150. He said, “Sales will be increased greatly from the 25th of Ramadan, ahead of Shab-e-Qadar.”  Nurunnabi said turnout is better than in previous years and his daily sales are up to Tk 1,200-Tk 3,000.
Kabir Ahmed, owner of the whole sale store Azmeer Cap House in the city said, he is selling local caps at prices ranging from Tk 100- Tk1200 a dozen, Chinese caps at Tk 90- Tk 1200 and Indian caps at Tk 120-Tk 500.
Kabir said the sale of Indian caps has increased this year due to lower prices. On the other hand, many vendors in the city have expressed their satisfaction over the sales and are expecting further sale in the next few days before Eid.