Deepavali fever grips pilgrim city as shoppers crowd markets

Tirupati: With Deepavali just a day away, residents thronged shopping centres and roadside stalls on Saturday to complete their festival preparations, braving crowded streets and rising prices.

The rush was evident across the city’s major commercial areas, including Gandhi Road, TK Street and Bazaar Street, where shops and footpath vendors recorded a steady flow of customers. People were seen purchasing new clothes, flowers, earthen lamps, firecrackers, fruits and other items required for the festival.

Retailers attributed the increased business to last-minute purchases and special festive offers.

Textile shops witnessed considerable demand as families looked for new clothes within their budgets. Several showrooms introduced special discount schemes and promotional offers to attract customers. Roadside garment stalls along Gandhi Road also remained busy, providing shoppers with more affordable options. Traders said the festive offers had helped improve sales.

Sweet shops, particularly those along TK Street, experienced a similar rush. Traditional Ariselu, locally known as Nippatlu, prepared with jaggery, was among the most popular purchases.

Customers queued up to buy the sweet, which holds a special place in Deepavali celebrations. To manage the demand, shop owners engaged additional workers and arranged temporary counters to speed up service.

The sale of clay diyas and decorative lamps also picked up, with customers showing interest in different shapes, colours and designs. Vendors said the demand extended beyond traditional earthen lamps, as families looked for decorative options to illuminate their homes.

Flower and fruit markets were equally busy, with families purchasing materials for Deepavali worship. Many households observe the Kedareswara Vratham on the festival day, which requires specific puja items.

Vendors said prices of several essential materials had increased due to demand. However, shoppers continued to make purchases, considering the ritual an important part of their annual celebrations.

Firecracker shops also reported improved business on Saturday. Although rising prices and environmental concerns have reduced purchases in recent years, many families continued the tradition of buying crackers in smaller quantities. The prices of fire crackers were increased by at least 15 to 20 percent compared to the previous year.

The increased shopping activity, however, affected traffic movement across the city. Heavy congestion was reported near TK Street, VV Mahal Road and Gandhi Road, leaving motorists stranded for considerable periods. Traffic police found it difficult to regulate vehicle movement amid the large crowds, particularly in the main commercial stretches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pradeep Vennelakanti

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