Local markets across the city are now the best bet for those not wanting to frequent the Charminar market for Ramzan shopping. Functioning on the lines of the Old City shops, one can find children’s apparel, ready-to-wear garments and dress materials, footwear, traditional wear apart from cosmetics, mehendi, crockery, bangles and imitation jewellery here.
Here are the names of a few markets that are bustling with people this Ramzan.
Rahmathnagar market, Yousufguda
Close to 50 shops at the market here are especially known for hand-embroidered sarees and dresses for women and children. It draws crowds from Yousufguda, Jubilee Hills and Borabanda areas on regular days. Come Ramzan, the area bustles with activity with many temporary shops coming up, which offer merchandise at competitive rates. “There is always scope for bargain here. Our products are sourced from the Old City workshops and markets,” says Ahmed Bhai, a shop-owner.
Bangladesh market, Musheerabad
It is an old market known for its affordable merchandise. It is a win-win situation for the buyer and seller at the market that attracts people from far off areas. Different goods can be found here, ranging from clothes, both readymade and material, bangles, footwear, mehendi, saris and salwar kameez. Desired stuff can be picked up from either fixed priced varieties or those dumped in big carton boxes.
“You will not be able to get merchandise at such low prices anywhere else,” claims Syed Ghani, a stall owner. The shopping rush increases here as the day progresses and the crowd thickens at night.
Sabzi Mandi Market, Karwan
People from far off areas drop in here. The 120-odd shops engaged in selling apparel for the entire family compete with each other, ending up offering merchandise at a comparatively less price. Most traders are natives of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and have set up shops over a period of time. One can buy almost anything from a safety pin to imitation jewellery and a handkerchief to costly bridal attire. Thanks to its connectivity with RTC bus services and shared autorickshaws readily available, it is one of the favourite haunts for people from Asifnagar, Golconda, Mehdipatnam, Mangalhat, Mustaidpura, Kulsumpura, Attapur and Langer Houz.
Hafeezbabanagar market, DRDL-Kanchanbagh
This is a mini-Laad Bazaar. The market has around 70-odd big shops offering almost everything that one might need during Ramzan. With its multiple bangle stores, the market draws women from many adjoining areas all through the year. During Ramzan, stores selling women’s and children’s wear, embroidered sarees, wedding wear and dress materials attract huge crowds.
Almost all function halls were converted into shopping avenues with traders setting up crockery and household articles stalls. “There is no exploitation here. It is a market with healthy competition between the traders and it is the customer who benefits here,” says Habeeb Mohammed Alhamed, a store-owner.
Barkas Bazaar- Chandrayangutta
This traditional market is popular for its ‘Arab chappal’ and ‘lungis’ imported from Middle East countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. ‘Java lungi’ made in Indonesia also finds its way into the market and costs a few thousand rupees. People drop in for the footwear and the lungis sold here. Several shops also deal in imported perfumes, food items, burkhas, wrist watches etc.
Other popular markets of the city include Golconda bada bazaar, Kishanbagh market, Hakeempet market, Hafeezpet market, Hasmathpet market and Moula Ali bazaar.
