LAHORE: Thousands of Lahoris celebrated Eidul-Fitr with zeal and fervour along with other Muslim world on Wednesday.
It was the first time after many years that the Eid was celebrated in all Muslim countries on the same day.
Lahore which is world famous for its eateries and traditional food items had also hosted countless families from other cities that arrived in the provincial metropolis to enjoy delicious dishes and visit different historical and entertainment sites on the Eid and following days. Great rush of people was seen at Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Minar-e-Pakistan ground, Lahore Zoo, Jallo Park, Jinnah Garden and other places on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. All famous restaurants in food streets and other areas were lit beautifully to get the visitors’ attention. The people’s enthusiasm could be gauged from the situation that even sizzling heat and humid weather could not make them stay indoors. They made great shopping on moon night and rushed to the cities bakers and sweet shops to buy sweets for families and friends as this Eid is also called Sweet Eid.
“Our sale was dozens time higher on Moon Night and Eid day as compared to common day. Customers had to wait in queues to get cake and sweets and vermicelli,” said Ehsan, the owner of famous Nasir Bakers at Thoker Niaz Beg.
The city’s residential areas were presented deserted look on Eid as majority of the people who came from outer cities and had business and jobs here had left Lahore to celebrate Eid with their families and friends and their hometowns and villages. The arrival of home goers has been started and complete on Sunday night. The main rush was witnessed at parks, historical sites and restaurants on Eid days.
Though the main traffic was absent from routes, they were fully occupied by the wheelies. Police had made relentless efforts to stop the youth from the dangerous game, which is being played by the young boys especially on every Moon Night, Eid days and Independence Day (August 14) and caused many fatal incidents, but it failed to prevent them. Police arrested more than 200 young people for having one wheeling. A death of a young man was also reported.
On the other side, 144,536 people visited the Lahore Zoo, Lahore Zoo Safari and Jallo Park in capital metropolis to spend their Eid.
Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali told The Nation that 39,332 people visited on first day of Eid and Lahore Zoo earned Rs 1.2m. On second day of Eid 69,479 people visited the Zoo and it earned Rs 2.4m.
He said all the arrangements were up to the mark and people have enjoyed during their visit to the Lahore Zoo. “Different games and shows were arranged for the children keeping in view of their interests,” Sahfqat said.
It is pertinent to note that Lahore Zoo established in 1872 and has a collection of 1380 animals of 136 species that makes him one of the largest zoos in the South Asia. It houses different aviaries include fancy aviary, Tiger House, Elephant House, Girrafe House, Deer House, Monkey House, Crocodile Ponds, Snake House, Monkey Enclosures. Lahore Zoo has also housed exotic flora 1280 trees of 71 species. The children liked to visit and spend time with their favorite the Suzi, the African elephant.
Deputy Director Wildlife Department Amir Masood said that total 23,735 people visited the Lahore Zoo Safari on the first two days, 10,535 on first day and 13,200 on second day ofr Eid.
“We have made full security arrangements including 32 CCTV cameras, and four walkthrough gates installed to prevent any untoward incident,” he said.
Parks and Horticulture Authority have also opened Jallo Botanical Garden in Jallo Park which was the centre of attraction for the people. At the Jallo Botanical Garden, there were walkways and a butterfly house and Pakistan’s first ever bonsai garden, food court and play areas were mostly visited and enjoyed by the people.
According to the Punjab Wild Life Department, 12,000 visitors visited Jallo Park Lahore, 12,000 Changa Manga Park, 1,500 people visit Suleimanki Park, 6,700 people visited Bahawalnagar Park, 105,000 people visited Bahawalpur Zoo, 6,862 visitors visited Rahim Yar Khan Park, 3,800 people visited Vehari Park, 1,000 people visited Pirowal park, 34,100 people visited Dera Ghazi Khan Zoo, 7,000 people visited Fateh Pur park, 7,500 visitors visited Gutwala, while 3,700 visited parks in Jhang, 14,000 in Bhagat, 25,000 in Kamalia,1,388 in Lol Bher, while 1,672 in Murree making total 491968 people visited recreational and zoo located in Punjab.
It is a long weekend for everyone and the Eid celebrations in the City will continue till Sunday night.