The Night Before Eid-ul-Adha.....!
The night before Eid-ul-Adha has its own kind of magic. It’s not just about new clothes and sweets like Eid-ul-Fitr.No doubt eid ul fitr has its own charm..obviously after the month of RAMDAN , its a big reward for muslims.but, about Eid Ul Adha...! This one feels heavier, warmer, more about family and sacrifice. The whole house is busy, but in a different way. There’s excitement in the air, but also that calm before the big day tomorrow.
For me, it always starts with the same feeling: we’re getting ready for something important. Ramadan had its quiet discipline. Eid-ul-Fitr had its sugar and celebration. Eid-ul-Adha is different. It’s about giving, about sharing, about all of us coming together.
What about joy and happiness...both nights have the same perks.This year, I went to the market with my brother the day before Eid. We told ourselves we’d go early to avoid the crowd. We were wrong again. Eid-ul-Adha markets are a whole other level.Oh goodness i thought no one gonna preffer going out in this schorhing summer heat...but i was totally wrong.
The streets were full of animals being taken to homes, trucks unloading, and people carrying big bags of groceries. But we weren’t there for qurbani shopping my father handled that. My list was the same as always: henna, bangles, a little makeup. Brother just came to carry the bags and complain hahah.!
First of all , we eneter the main shop, from where we always preffer to buy our stuff. On enteranc there i saw nail polishes....dammmmn i was not planning to buy the but they got my attention for sure. Different colours: shimmry, glossy, mat, peel off ...oh just stunning.
Then i stopped at a henna corner.. trust me i love the smell of heenah...no one can understand me better then all the girlies out there. I don't go for hennah artist ever.. because i love hennah and i myself apply it on every festival.
Then came the bangles. Eid-ul-Adha bangles are always a bit bolder. Deep maroon, emerald green, gold. I picked a set of maroon and gold that clinked when I moved my wrist. It reminded me of my mother during Eid when I was little. I also got some thin glass churis for everyday wear. My brother raised an eyebrow. “Another set?” I just smiled. Yes. Another set.
The makeup section was crowded. Even women who don’t wear makeup daily buy something for Eid-ul-Adha. I picked up a set of nails, a mascara, , some maekup brushesbfo sure, a lipstick and of course a lip liner. The shopkeeper kept saying, “This one is waterproof, this one won’t fade during qurbani work.” Everyone was preparing to be in the kitchen or outside tomorrow, so long-lasting was the keyword.
Eid-ul-Adha markets aren’t just about clothes. The food stalls were everywhere. Trays of sheerkhurma, boxes of zarda, plates of jilapi still hot from the oil. There were also stalls selling ready-made spice mixes for biryani, kebab, and roast. Uncles were buying in bulk, arguing over which brand was best.
I was stunned by how busy it was. One stall had a line of 15 people just to buy fresh Ras gullas. Another had fresh Brfi and dry fruits stacked high. The smell of sugar, cardamom, and frying oil made the whole market feel alive.Oh my goodness i got insane watching soo much variety of sweets ..
Amf finally we came home after 2 and half an hour.
Home was even busier. My father had brought the sacrificial animal earlier, and it was tied in the courtyard. The kids were both scared and excited. My mother and sister were in the kitchen making some marinations or tomorrow. The smell of ginger, garlic, and spices filled the house.
While everything was being prepared, we sat in the courtyard to apply henna. My cousins and I spread a newspaper on the floor. Mine came out with flowers and vines. My cousin hid my name in the design and said, “Find it tomorrow.” We had to sit still for 20 minutes, so we talked and laughed. My brother came out once, took a picture, and said, “You all look ready for a wedding.” We threw a cushion at him.
The henna was cool on my skin. In Eid-ul-Adha, applying henna feels different. Tomorrow is going to be a long, hardworking day. So tonight is the last bit of rest, the last bit of decoration before we all pitch in.
By the time the henna dried, the kitchen smelled amazing. My mother had made sheerkhurma for the night. We ate it warm, standing around the pot because no one wanted to wait. Sweet, creamy, with vermicelli, nuts, and raisins. It tasted like Eid.
Later, I sat on the steps and looked at my hands. The henna was staining dark. My new bangles made a soft sound. Tomorrow would be early. Fajr prayer, then qurbani, then distributing meat, then cooking, then guests.
Eid-ul-Adha night is special because it’s the calm before the work. We know tomorrow will be tiring. There will be blood, knives, hard work, and responsibilities. But tonight, we’re just family. We’re laughing, eating sweets, decorating our hands.
It was late when we finally lay down. I couldn’t sleep at first. My mind was thinking about tomorrow. Waking up early, helping with qurbani, seeing the meat distributed to neighbors who need it. That’s the part I love most about Eid-ul-Adha....!the sharing.
I looked at my henna one last time. Tomorrow it would be darker. Tomorrow everything would start early and end late. But tonight, I was just happy. Tired, full, and ready.
That’s how the night before Eid-ul-Adha always is for me. A mix of excitement and peace. Shopping, sweets, henna on our hands, and the quiet knowledge that tomorrow we’ll work hard, give a lot, and celebrate together.
What about your preparations??Wanna share?
NOTE: POST CROSS POSTED #Blurt
