As Tamil Nadu prepares to celebrate Diwali tomorrow, major cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Tirunelveli have witnessed a massive surge in consumer activity. Markets and commercial hubs were packed with shoppers eager to purchase new clothing, firecrackers, and sweets for the festival.
While many residents had begun their festive shopping over the previous weekend, the momentum intensified yesterday as people made final purchases before heading to their hometowns. In Chennai, the bustling streets of T. Nagar, particularly Ranganathan Street, saw significant footfall, alongside other key commercial areas such as Purasaiwakkam, Washermanpet, Broadway, Chromepet, and Pallikaranai.
Similar scenes were reported across the state. In Madurai, crowds gathered in the Vilakkuthoon and South Masi Street areas, while Coimbatore’s Town Hall, Gandhipuram, Crosscut Road, and Oppanakara Street remained packed. In Trichy, the NSP Road and Periya Kadai Street were centers of activity, and in Tirunelveli, the streets surrounding the Nellaiappar Temple were filled with shoppers.
Retailers in major urban centers offered a wide variety of new apparel at discounted prices to attract customers. Beyond clothing and firecrackers—with the Island Grounds in Chennai serving as a major hub for firework sales—confectionery shops also reported high demand for traditional sweets. Local restaurants experienced heavy traffic, with many patrons waiting in queues to dine.
To manage the large crowds and ensure public safety, police personnel were deployed across these busy commercial districts to maintain order during the final hours of festive preparations.
