HYDERABAD: Even as Telangana observed a bandh on Saturday, the festive spirit of Diwali continued across Hyderabad’s bustling markets. While several shops remained shut in parts of the city due to the bandh call, many residents were seen making the most of the morning hours to buy crackers, colourful diyas, and festive decorations ahead of the festival.
At Monda Market, women vendors were seen hand-painting and selling vibrant diyas. Stalls displayed rows of traditional earthen lamps in hues of red, orange, and gold, drawing in shoppers looking to support local artisans.
At Sanathnagar, cracker stalls came alive with a dazzling range of fireworks. From budget-friendly sparklers at Rs 100 to high-end aerial shots costing up to Rs 5,000, traders offered a mix of old favourites and new additions for every budget. Flower pots and chakras ranged from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000, while combo gift boxes and multi-shot fireworks drew attention from bulk buyers and families preparing for community celebrations.
“Sales began three days ago, but footfall is still moderate,” said Vijay, manager at Sri Ganesh Fireworks. “People are coming, but not in full swing yet. We expect sales to pick up from Sunday as the weekend crowd turns up.” He added that people buy firecrackers ranging between Rs 2,500 to Rs 10,000, depending on the size of the family. According to traders, early bulk buyers, mostly housing societies and community organisers, have already begun stocking up, while most families prefer to shop closer to the festival.
In Begum Bazaar, shoppers could be seen comparing prices, exploring stalls, and checking out the latest collections, especially child-friendly fireworks and colourful, low-emission varieties. With the government’s emphasis on green crackers, many sellers have stocked ecofriendly options developed through National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)-certified research, ensuring reduced smoke and sound pollution.
Due to increased awareness of environmental protection, the vendors said that people are showing interest in buying green crackers, though they are a bit costly. “The state government has been supportive in regulating and promoting green crackers,” said a trader at Gymkhana. “Customers are also becoming more aware of the need for cleaner celebrations.” On the other hand, like every year, people queued up at the Shanti Fireworks store in Begum Bazaar to purchase crackers at discounted rates.
The wholesale traders confirmed a 5-10% price increase this year due to higher manufacturing and transportation costs. However, they noted that competitive pricing and bulk discounts were keeping the festive demand steady.
Despite the slow start, traders remain optimistic. With just days left for Diwali, Hyderabad’s markets are preparing for their busiest phase with streets lined with cracker boxes, children tugging at their parents for sparklers, and shoppers haggling for the best deals.
