On the eve of the Ganesh Chaturthi, markets and roadside stalls in Vijayawada witnessed a heavy rush on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
Festive fervour was witnessed at main thoroughfares and the Rythu Bazars in Vijayawada on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi as residents stepped out to buy puja material for the festival on Sunday.
Devotees were seen purchasing Ganesh idols, fruits, flowers, decorative material, pathri (leaves) and other puja material for the festival.
People flocked the Rythu Bazars at Alankar Centre, Penamaluru, Patamata and the M.G. Road, Ibrahimpatnam Centre, Besant Road, Pantakaluva Road, Gollapudi and other centres in the city. Police were seen clearing the traffic congestions at major junctions.
Temples were decked up for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The Ganesh utsav committee organisers erected pandals at many places to celebrate the festival.
However, the last-minute rush has inflated the prices of puja materials. āVendors are selling patri (leaves of various trees) at ā¹200, colour lotus flowers each ā¹50, coconut for ā¹50 and ā¹70 (big size), bananas for ā¹60 per dozen, apples and pomegranates at ā¹300 per dozen,ā a devotee P. Usha Sri said.
Artists were selling Ganesh idols at ā¹30 and above. However, some NGOs and government organisations, public representatives and environmentalists distributed clay idols at free of cost at some places.
Published ā September 13, 2026 08:01 pm IST
