Come Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the Muslim-majority areas of the culturally vibrant Old City of Hyderabad acquire a distinctly festive look.

When this month of fasting (first roza on Sept 2, 2008) and the 10-day long Ganesh Chaturthi (starting on Sept 3) begin almost simultaneously, it’s nothing less than a double delight for the Hyderabadi denizens at large, and also for cops who don’t have to be bothered about making bundobast separately for the two festive periods (of course, concerns of security have begun to prevail irrespective of festive occasions). The coincidental fusion of these two diverse sets of festivities truly presents a fine example of our communal amity and pluralistic society.

In the Old City, while eateries and restaurants serving assorted delicacies like haleem, biryani and nahari-kulche swarm with Muslims post-Iftar, following the day-long fast, mosques in every bylane keep teeming with rozadaar namazis five times a day.

On the other hand, creatively designed colourful Ganesh pandals that come up in different nooks and corners of the city showcase a variety of idols of Vinayaka, hold cultural activities and keep receiving devotees 24X7.

Throughout the month of Ramzan, newly-renovated shopping establishments on the Syed Ali Chabutra-Shah Ali Banda-Moghulpura-Charminar-Gulzar Houz-Pathergatti-Madina Building stretch in the Old City do brisk business from noon till the early hours of the next morning -- thanks to the permission granted by the State Government for shops to remain open 24x7 -- as their snazzily showcased trendsetting varieties of festive wear gets sold within no time.

However, the flip side to this almost 24-hour shopping frenzy is that motorists in particular find it laborious to ply on the roads which are taken over by hundreds of makeshift shops, both stationary and mobile, vending fancy ware at throwaway prices.
In other parts of Hyderabad, almost every big shop worth its name comes up with festive offers which are lapped up by Ganesh bhakts who don’t mind going on a spending spree.

Ask any practicing Muslim about the benefits of fasting in the holy month of Ramzan and he/she is bound to say it ‘burns away sins’’ and practically teaches the spiritual art of living by inculcating self-restraint, compassion, charity and introspection. By observing a month-long fast during daytime by abstaining from food, water and sexual gratification, one is expected to discipline the physique, strengthen will power and purify the soul.

As far as Hindus are concerned, for ten days -- from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi --  they worship Ganesha. On the 11th day, the Ganesh idols are taken in a procession marked by fanfare to be immersed in local water bodies, the prominent one being the Hussain Sagar (Tank Bund), symbolising a ritualistic see-off to Ganesha on his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devotees.

What one earnestly hopes for is that the festivities pass off peacefully, once again showcasing to the world our famous Ganga-Jumni tahzeeb.