Hyderabad streets glow with colours, lights and festive spirit ahead of Deepavali

Hyderabad’s streets came alive on Sunday (October 19), with the sounds and scents of Deepavali as residents immersed themselves in shopping and festive preparations. With the festival set for Monday, the air was charged with anticipation and laughter.

Festive rush fills Begum Bazaar, as shoppers throng the market on the eve of Deepavali in Hyderabad on Sunday (October 19, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

While some Hyderabadi families had already left for their hometowns on Friday evening, many remained, making their way through bustling markets in search of flowers, firecrackers, decorative lights, and gifts. Many streets were lined with colourful pushcarts selling marigolds, jasmine, and brightly painted diyas, creating a tapestry of colours.

Popular shopping hubs such as Begum Bazar and Jambagh thronged with crowds from morning until night. Families navigated through narrow lanes, balancing shopping bags and bursting crackers with children in tow. Shopkeepers, anticipating the heavy footfall, had decked their stores with rangoli, fairy lights, and garlands.

Festive rush fills Begum Bazaar, as shoppers throng the market for diyas on the eve of Deepavali in Hyderabad on Sunday (October 19, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

The atmosphere was further enlivened by the aroma of freshly made sweets wafting through the streets, blending with the chatter of excited shoppers. For many, Sunday was not just about shopping but about soaking in the spirit of Deepavali, sharing smiles, and participating in the citywide celebration that marks the triumph of light over darkness.