Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7 -- 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 mont...