Ramzan in the old city of Hyderabad

18 August, 2012

The city of Hyderabad has become business hub for traders coming from all parts of the country in the month of Ramzan. There are lots of exhibition stalls in old city. All the roads, lanes and by lanes heading towards the old city Charminar complex are closed for the traffic.

WITH ONLY a few days left for Ramzan festival, the streets of the old city and near Charminar are buzzing with activity. This Ramzan, traders say, is very special. Ramzan begins depending on the sighting of the moon. Traders of old city say that it was in 2010 that the Malegaon blasts had cast its shadow on the holy month festival of Ramzan.

The year 2011 was hit by recession. So, in 2012, the market is looking brighter, busier. With hundred of designers clothes to choose from and festival offers to bank on, denizens have already started flocking to the market in large number to buy dresses. Traders of Hyderabad are also expecting that people from other parts of the state and even neighboring states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra drop into shop for the festival of Ramzan.

Near Charminar, hundreds of others workers have already set up roadside stalls to sell garments, perfume, skull caps, household items, fruits and eatables. It is estimated that around 20,000-25,000 people are setting up makeshift shops near Charminar during the Ramzan season. With many new makeshift stalls coming up prior to the start of Ramzan, the traders on the main road of old city having permanent establishments shops are feeling the heat. Because of Ramzan there is lots of traffic on the road so people from others parts of city hesitate to come here. In view of this police should make proper arrangement for smooth flow of traffic.

When I talked to Yusuf Mayan of Hyderabad he said, “I’m running this shop for 65 years and selling all cosmetic things for women.” The other shopkeepers are selling perfumes, cutlery, curtains, bed sheets, door curtains, and pillow covers, etc. Still others are selling only dry fruits and they are also selling ‘Sammie’ (also known as Shirkhurma), which is very special dish of Ramzan.

I also visited one Haleem shop they are selling they are selling different types Haleem like veg and non-veg Haleem. ‘Kurmani’, a type of sweet Kheer, and ‘Firni’, etc., are also sold there. There are lots of bangle shops. When I talked to shopkeepers they said that in this season glass bangles are more in demand. There are lots of fruit markets. Since Muslims fast during Ramzan, so fruits are the most important selling items in this season.

I went old city in the evening during the Iftar time. The mosque near Charminar was overcrowded. The mosques are generally overcrowded during the season of Ramzan. Let’s hope this Ramzan will go smoothly and celebrated without any difficulty by the blessing of Allah.