‘Patangbazi’ unites people as festive atmosphere prevails across city

Hyderabad saw two festivals Makar Sankranti and Youm-e-Wiladat Hazrat Ali being celebrated with religious fervour and people from various parts indulged in revelry

Hyderabad: A festive mood predominated the city with two festivals Makar Sankranti and Youm-e-Wiladat Hazrat Ali being celebrated with religious fervour.

The skies in the city were dotted with kites as the people irrespective of caste, religion and community were busy exchanging festval greetings and indulging in ‘patangbazi’.

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Kite flyers carrying kites of various sizes and designs descended since morning at public spaces such as Nizam College Grounds, Domalguda grounds, Quli Qutb Shah Stadium, Goshamahal grounds, Agriculture University, Osmania University grounds and other prominent spaces which have been drawing huge crowds for the festival over the years.

Terrace of high rises in the IT corridor of Gachibowli, Madhapur, Manikonda, Tellapur, Kokapet and Kondapur were also abuzz as kite flyovers gathered there for fun, food and revelry.

The kite and food festival at Parade Grounds too attracted lots of people while the popular Necklace Road along the Tank Bund saw people gather in huge numbers from across the city. At the other end of the old city, the situation was no different at Begum Bazaar, Dhoolpet, Goshamahal, Puranapul and Kulsumpura.

In Charminar, Shahalibanda, Kalapather, Misrigunj, Barkas, Riyasatnagar, Edi Bazaar and Tallabkatta groups of friends gathered on rooftops and engaged in ‘patangbazi’.

On the other hand, in the Shia community dominated areas of Darulshifa, Purani Haveli, Yakutpura, Dabeerpura, Mir Alam Mandi, Alijah Kotla and Noor Khan Bazaar, a festive atmosphere prevailed in view of the Youm-e-Wiladat Hazrat Ali, celebrated on the 13 th day of Rajab, the seventh month of Hijri calendar. Hazrath Ali, is the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed.

On the occasion, several programmes were organized and processions from different areas of the city taken out to Koh-e-Moula Ali. Confectionery is distributed among the participants and food camps organized all along the route for the people who head to the shrine at Moula Ali in large groups.

On Wednesday afternoon, the processions started from the Old City and headed to Moula Ali shrine where thousands were visiting the shrine from all over the country.

The hillock located at Malkajgiri was decked up for the occasion and special arrangements were made by the administration for the convenience of visitors.