HYDERABAD: Almost all shops in the city have been decked up in anticipation of a bumper Diwali sale. Major markets are having colourful displays and illuminations while temporary shops have come up to cash in on the seasonal sales.
Begum Bazaar, Charkaman in Old City, Ramkote, Chikkadpally, Dilsukhnagar and General Bazaar are abuzz in the evenings, with families coming out for their festive shopping.
Shops selling earthen toys, pots and lamps have occupied pavements as have those dealing in toys made of sugar and special puffed rice, which are traditional do’s for the festival of lights.
Raj Nanadan, Amrutha enterprises at Begum Bazaar Chetri, has been selling Diwali props like earthen toys, lamps and other items for the past 18 years, “’Donthulu’ the earthen pots and toys are procured from Bengaluru, Kolkata, Nagpur and Rajasthan. This year because of rains the craftsmen were not able to manufacture the required quantity. Even transportation was disturbed due to rains. There is a slight rise in prices but I am sure people will not hesitate spending. We are worried that rain may play spoilsport.”
Raju Sahuv, a push-cart seller of traditional toys and special puffed rice, said, “sales have picked up in the last two days. The toys what are made of sugar are meant for display at homes. They cost Rs340 a kg while puffed rice is priced at Rs.240 per kg.”
