Tirupati Markets Bustle With Diwali Shoppers

Tirupati: Shopping areas in Tirupati witnessed heavy crowds on Saturday as people made last-minute purchases ahead of Diwali.

Finding parking space and moving through busy streets became difficult for shoppers and motorists.

Gandhi Road, TK Street and Bazaar Street saw large crowds throughout the day, with the rush peaking in the evening.

Temporary stalls occupied footpaths, shops had customers queuing to make purchases and vehicles moved slowly through the busy stretches.

Clothes remained among the major purchases, with families visiting textile shops and garment stalls.

While showrooms offered festive discounts, many shoppers turned to roadside vendors for cheaper options.

Vendors selling clay diyas and decorative lamps reported good sales.

Flower and fruit stalls, along with general stores, also witnessed brisk business as households bought supplies for Diwali puja and Kedareswara Vratham.

Sweet shops were among the busiest establishments, with customers queuing to buy traditional ariselu, locally known as Nippatlu, made with jaggery.

Shopkeepers arranged additional counters and engaged more workers to meet the last-minute demand.

Firecracker sales also picked up, though some families bought smaller quantities due to higher prices.

Vendors said prices of fruits, flowers and other essentials had increased due to higher demand.

Some shoppers said they had spent more than usual on festival purchases, while others limited their shopping to stay within their budgets.

The festival rush also affected traffic on Gandhi Road, TK Street and VV Mahal Road, particularly in the evening.

Traffic personnel faced difficulty managing vehicle and pedestrian movement as shoppers continued to visit the markets.