Chhadakhai rush: Non-Veg markets across Odisha see huge crowd, traders eye brisk business

Friday turned festive for non-vegetarian food lovers in Odisha as Chhadakhai brought thousands flocking to meat and fish stalls after a month of abstinence.  

Though the holy month of Kartika ended on Wednesday, families in Odisha refrained themselves from consuming non-veg food on Thursday.

From Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to Berhampur, Sambalpur and Balasore, meat and fish markets witnessed heavy rush since early morning. Long queues were seen at fish, chicken and mutton stalls as customers flocked to buy their favourite dishes for the day.

Traders said demand soared sharply as most people who had refrained from consuming non-veg during Kartika month turned out in large numbers to celebrate Chhadakhai. 

“After a month of vegetarian meals, everyone wants to enjoy their favourite fish and meat today,” said a vendor at the Unit-IV market in Bhubaneswar.

To meet the surge in demand, vendors stocked up on a wide range of items from popular fish varieties like rohu, hilsa, pomfret, bhakura and prawns to crabs and country chicken. Different types of chicken, including desi, broiler, Kadaknath and Banaraj, were also in high demand.

Markets remained crowded through the day, with prices of fish and meat seeing a marginal rise due to high demand.

Also Read: Holy Kartika month ends, but Odisha’s non-veg markets brace for a quiet Thursday dampening Chhadakhai spirit

Chhadakhai marks the day after the completion of the Kartika month, when people traditionally resume non-vegetarian consumption after a month-long period of religious observance and fasting.