Dates selling like hotcakes during Ramadan in Kashmir

Mouth-watering sweetened dates are selling like hotcakes during the month of Ramadan in Srinagar. People are purchasing these dates in large quantities. Usually, they use these dates on other occasions like engagements, marriages and religious festivals but the demand of dates automatically increases during Ramadan. Muslims all over the world including Kashmir valley use dates on large scale, especially at the time of Iftar. Presently, markets in Srinagar including Koker Bazar, and Maharaj Gunj are stuffed with dates. These dates are coming from different countries including Saudi Arabia, Madinah Al Munawwarah, Iran and Iraq, Afghanistan, Indonesia and other different parts of the country as well. But people like some particular qualities of dates which come from Saudi and Madinah Al Munawwarah known as AJWA, Amber and Mabroom dates as these are the best qualities. The cost of these quality dates is up to 2,000 rupees per kg as compared to normal dates which are up to 300 to 600 rupees per kg. From the Islamic point of view, dates have their own importance and everybody prefers to break the fast with dates. Scientifically, dates are very good for health due to their nutritional value and breaking fast from a few pieces along with water or milk is enough to refresh the whole body. The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar which starts on March 23rd. During this month, people take food only 2 times from dawn to dusk known as Sehri and Iftar respectively.