Magnificent shopping scenario! During Ramzan.

The shopping activity during Ramzan all over Hyderabad and especially around Charminar is stunning. The market places are active since morning but as the day progresses the sale of items pick up and the bigger shops close late and the road side vendors operate well past midnight. Top on the sales list would be fruits and other food items required for breaking the fast. Apples, dates and dry fruits can be seen on sale everywhere. The sale of clothing, readymade garments, footwear, jewellery, bangles, crockery, house furnishings, fancy goods and a variety of other merchandise reach the year’s peak during this month. Even midnight appears as just commenced evening with people everywhere amidst well illuminated shops and with all types of eateries open.

And as it gets closer to the day of ‘Eid’ this activity would further increase. Few years ago I used to make it a point to visit Charminar area during late evening sales. In those days it was possible to drive through a narrow lane left for a car’s movement by the road side vendors and the crowds. Today there are traffic restrictions in the night. So we go there during daytime once or twice during Ramzan as a tradition, enjoy the window shopping and return home with some fancy items.