Copyright thehindu
Hyderabad shimmered in festive splendour on Monday (October 20, 2025) as the city celebrated Deepavali, the festival of lights, with great enthusiasm and warmth. The occasion, which fell on a Monday this year, brought with it an extended weekend, allowing families to indulge in preparations and celebrations that began well before dawn. The usually busy city roads wore an unusually calm look for most of the day, as offices, educational institutions and commercial establishments remained shut for the holiday. The morning began on a colourful note as households across neighbourhoods, from Old City to Gachibowli, decorated their doorsteps with colourful rangoli patterns. Many residents blended traditional motifs with creative flourishes, using bright powders and flower petals to create vibrant designs that symbolised prosperity and good fortune. Soon after, families stepped out to shop for flowers and last-minute festive essentials. Marigold, synonymous with Indian celebrations, dominated the city’s markets, its golden-orange hues adding to the festive atmosphere. Pushcarts and roadside vendors did brisk business as garlands and floral strings sold out quickly across areas like Monda Market, Jambagh, Mehdipatnam, and Begum Bazaar. While a section of Hyderabadis had already travelled to their hometowns over the weekend to celebrate with their family, many stayed back to soak in the city’s Deepavali charm. Throughout the afternoon, local markets remained abuzz with people purchasing decorative lights, earthen diyas, firecrackers, and gifts. Sweet shops too witnessed long queues, as families stocked up on favourites such as kaju katli, laddoo, and jalebi. As dusk descended, the city transformed into a spectacle of light. Homes glowed with rows of diyas and fairy lights, and the night sky came alive with colourful bursts of fireworks.
