Crowds flood commercial hubs in Madurai, Ramanathapuram on Deepavali eve

Thousands of shoppers thronging Vilakkuthoon in Madurai on Saturday. | Photo Credit: G. Moorthy People gathering for last-minute Deepavali purchase on Salai Street in Ramanathapuram on Saturday | Photo Credit: L. BALACHANDAR Shopping zones across Madurai and Ramanathapuram recorded heavy footfall on Saturday as thousands of people made last-minute purchases on the eve of the Deepavali festival.A significant portion of the shoppers included migrant workers, IT professionals, and students who returned to their native towns from hubs like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore on Friday night.In Madurai, commercial stretches including Vilakkuthoon, South Masi Street, Town Hall Road, and West Tower Street saw heavy pedestrian movement from 9 AM. Local police diverted vehicular traffic around the Meenakshi Amman Temple zone to allow foot movement.Readymade garment outlets, footwear shops, and temporary pavement stalls registered continuous sales.“Many of us reached Madurai only early this morning by train,” said R. Karthik, a software employee based in Chennai.“We could not shop in the city due to work schedules, so we are completing all our purchases here in one quick trip before heading home to our village.”Street vendors set up temporary counters offering matching accessories, bangles, and children’s apparel at reduced rates to clear seasonal inventory.Grocery markets near Mattuthavani and Nelpettai faced steady demand for dry fruits, cooking oils, and sweets ingredients as families prepared for traditional morning rituals.Similarly, in Ramanathapuram, retail hubs near the Old Bus Stand, Salai Street, and West Car Street remained crowded throughout the afternoon.Shoppers focused on ready-made garments, home decor items, and traditional clay lamps.Store owners reported a sharp rise in sales compared to the previous days.“The turnout was slow early in the week, but once the intercity buses and trains arrived on Friday night, the footfall multiplied instantly,” said S. Kumaresan, a textile shop owner in Ramanathapuram.“Last-minute buyers mostly look for ready-to-wear outfits and instant accessories.”Firecracker stalls in designated open grounds across both districts also saw long queues. Families purchased sparklers, flower pots, and ground chakkars in bulk.District police deployed additional personnel, mobile units, and temporary watchtowers in major market areas to control crowds, manage traffic bottlenecks, and prevent pickpocketing.Merchants expect customer movement to continue until late at night before shops shut down for the festival morning. Published - November 07, 2026 06:56 pm IST