As the first light broke over the city on March 21, thousands streamed towards Idgahs across Hyderabad, for Id-ul-Fitr with prayers, greetings and gatherings that stretched across neighbourhoods.
At Mir Alam Tank near the Nehru Zoological Park and Hockey Ground at Masab Tank, large congregations assembled, with children and men arriving early to take part in the morning prayers.
“We planned ahead and left before 6 a.m. so we could attend prayers without the rush. It’s the most important part of the day for us,” said Mohammed Arif, 41, who was at Mir Alam Tank.
By mid-morning, the focus shifted from prayer grounds to homes, as families visited relatives and shared festive meals. Children in new clothes, exchange of Idi and the steady flow of visitors defined the day across many localities. “Eid is about gratitude after a month of fasting. The prayers bring everyone together, and that sense of community is what makes the day special,” said Syed Khaleel, 52, who attended prayers at Hockey Ground.
Traffic diversions were in place between 7 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. around Bahadurpura, Kalapather, Nawab Saheb Kunta, Shastripuram, Danamma Huts, Masab Tank, Khaja Mansion, NMDC and 1/12 Junction to manage the movement of large crowds.
“It’s the one time when everyone meets, no matter how busy the year has been. The house is full from morning till evening,” said Ayesha Fatima, 29, from Mehdipatnam.
“For us, Eid also means sharing. We make sure to visit relatives, distribute food and spend time with neighbours. It’s about staying connected,” said Farzana Begum, 45, a resident of Sainikpuri.
The night before Eid, the Charminar stretch turned into a dense hub of activity, with the monument illuminated in bright colours and surrounding lanes filled with shoppers. Stalls offering bangles, accessories and attar perfumes saw steady footfall, capturing the seasonal buzz associated with Ramzan. The area once again drew crowds from across the city, reinforcing its place at the centre of Eid shopping.
Crowds throng the Charminar market area as people shop for clothes and accessories on the eve of Eid in Hyderabad on Friday, March 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR
Markets in Charminar, Laad Bazaar, Tolichowki and Mehdipatnam remained active late into the night, with traders reporting steady demand for garments, jewellery and food items. Haleem counters continued to draw crowds through the festival day, with operators saying the recent LPG supply concerns had little bearing on their business. “Haleem is mostly cooked on firewood, so the LPG issue did not really affect us. Demand has been strong right through Ramzan and even today,” said Mohammed Salman, 37, who runs a food outlet in Tolichowki.
Alongside Eid, members of the Parsi community marked Nowruz in Secunderabad, with devotees visiting a fire temple to offer prayers. The festival, associated with renewal and the arrival of spring, added to the day’s broader sense of celebration across communities in the city.
Devotees coming out a Fire Temple after offering prayers on the occasion of Nowruz in Secunderabad on Saturday as celebrations of renewal and new beginnings mark the arrival of spring.
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G
Official oversight
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar supervised security arrangements at Mir Alam Eidgah during the morning prayers. Following the prayers, he distributed chocolates to children and extended festive greetings.
Officials said the month of Ramzan concluded without any untoward incidents and that advance arrangements ensured smooth conduct of prayers and shopping activity. The police also acknowledged the cooperation of religious elders and various government departments in facilitating the celebrations. Police maintained bandobast at key locations through the day, while the city gradually settled into a slower pace by the afternoon as celebrations continued indoors.
Published – March 21, 2026 08:08 pm IST
