According to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) over one lakh people took buses on Dasara eve to get to their home towns – in other districts of Telangana or neighbouring states – for the festival.
But while the city roads remained relatively empty with many driving out for a holiday, the popular shopping zones of Hyderabad – across Kukatpally, Ameerpet, Dilsukhnagar, Begum Bazaar, Abids – saw crowds swelling through the day. Malls and standalone stores in other parts of the city too witnessed a high footfall.
“Dasara means new clothes and shopping is a ritual which we could not enjoy for the last two years. So this year since we could shop freely without worrying about Covid, we went all out purchasing something for the whole family,” shared Sahitya K, from Kukatpally
If some indulged in retail hopping, many others were found queuing up outside temples in the city for Navami rituals. The sounds of Durga puja also reverberated from the dozens of pandals dotting Hyderabad’s landscape as devotees – cutting across ages – gathered here for the penultimate day of celebrations. The day also saw various places holding special Jammi pooja which is performed around the Jammi tree seen as the most holy plant for the Dasara festival. The streets across the city were dotted with flowers, pumpkin, and garlands.
As the day progressed, the excitement of ushering in Vijay Dashami and the grand Ravan Dahanam was palpable among revellers. Especially since the event is making a come back after a gap of two years. On Wednesday evening, several large grounds in Uppal, Amberpet, Saroornagar, Nampally will see the effigy of Ravana being burned along with grand firework shows and cultural events.
“This year we are getting orders from even bordering districts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Here we make effigies up to 40 feet high and as small as 5 feet as well. This year because prices of material have increased, we had to increase the price upto Rs 60,000 which is 10% higher than before,” shared Yadagiri, a worker from Nampally.
Wednesday will also see a grand procession of revellers heading towards Tank Bund, carrying the idols of Goddess Durga. Some of the popular Durga idols by various Bengali associations will be immersed on spot.