It's date time for Thiruvananthapuram folks
The festival is being held for the ninth consecutive time by Prakrithi Arogyavichara Vedi.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As Muslims around the world observe the holy month of Ramadan, the people of Capital city irrespective of religion are having a gala time getting a rare opportunity to taste and take home dates from different parts of the globe.
The honey and dates festival which is currently on at the Bhagyamala Auditorium here is attracting hundreds of people every day. The festival is being held for the ninth consecutive time by Prakrithi Arogyavi-chara Vedi.
As many as 40 varieties of dates from 8 countries including Iran, Iraq, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, and different varieties of honey including ‘Coorg Honey’ from Karnataka which is the most expensive one yet having high demand. Priced at Rs 100 and Rs 650 per kg, ‘Rajasthani’ and ‘Al-Madina’ are the cheapest and most expensive respectively.
According to T. Ishak, organiser and secretary of Prakrithi Arogyavichara Vedi, all the products available at the festival are fast moving. “We have visitors not just from those who fast, but from different sections of society,” he said. He added that all the stalls were packed even during afternoons of working days.
“I have been a constant visitor to this festival for many years. The varieties available here do not compromise with quality,” said Abdul Manaf who was purchasing dates for breaking the fast with family at home. The thirteen-day long festival is open to the public everyday till June 15 from 11 am to 9 pm.