Bhubaneswar: As the holy month of Kartika came to an end, people across Odisha thronged markets to buy their favourite non-vegetarian items to observe ‘Chhadakhai’ on Sunday.
During the month of Kartika, people in the state avoid earing non-vegetarian food. Even animal killing is also prohibited in many places.
After a month of pious diet, it was time to go pompous on the plate with households preparing mutton curry (Mansha Jhola), fish fry (Machha Bhaja), crab curry (Kankada Jhola), and mustard prawn (Chingudi Besara) to fish head cooked with dal and selected vegetables (Mudhi Ghanta).
In Bhubaneswar, there was a rush at Unit-4 market, Unit-8 market, Damana market, Chandrashekharpur market, and many other fresh non-veg kiosks across the capital city and people were seen buying fish, crab, prawn, egg, mutton, and chicken.
The price of 1 kg mutton is Rs 800-Rs 650, while 1 kg country chicken costs Rs 550, and broiler a kg is being sold at Rs 240 at Unit-4 market. ‘Rohu’ and ‘Bhaakura’ are available for Rs 200 to 250 a kg, tiger prawn is being sold at Rs 1000 a kg while medium-sized prawn costs Rs 550-600 a kg, ‘Ilisi” fish Rs 800- Rs 2000 a kg, Pomfret Rs 1000 a kg, and crab Rs 2000-3000 a kg.
Due to the heavy demand for non-veg items, the sellers usually raise the prices on this day. Fish is also imported in view of people’s demands.
Hotels and restaurants across the state are also likely to see a huge footfall on Sunday.
