Numaish Exhibition History:
Graduates from Osmania University has started the Numaish Exhibition for the First time in the year 1938 to showcase local products to the public. Last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan started with 100 stalls in 1938 at the Public Gardens, later the venue was shifted to the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally.
In current days where shopping is only in air conditioned shopping malls, open air exhibition melas are very rare to find. Many such exhibitions and melas have been closed over the years.
One extremely popular open air exhibition that still occurs in the country is Numaish Masnuaat-e-Mulki, meaning, ‘exhibition of the local products’, very well known as ‘Numaish’ Urdu for ‘exhibition’ in Hyderabad. During the reign of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the first Numaish was prearranged by Osmania University students in 1938. From then till today, Numaish is held from January 1 to February 15 every year and has become an imperative tourist place of Hyderabad.
There are an endless variety of products at Numaish. Stalls are setup here from traders all over the country and many a times, from outside the country also. Textiles, jewellery, handicrafts, toys, kitchenware, ceramics, crockery, dry fruits, leather goods, electronic devices, home decors items and anything you name, Numaish sells it all!
You can find Iranian and Pakistani traders selling chandeliers, sculptures and ethnic products, Kashmiri merchants selling pashminas, dry fruits, saffron and carpets, dealers from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan with their rich handicrafts. Everything and anything is available here.
The Numaish is not just a market for producers and consumers. In the past, it helped in bringing about light winds of change in the society also. After 3 years of its start, the concept of a ‘Ladies’ night’ was commenced, wherein an evening of the exhibition was solely devoted to ladies for shopping. Locally, the purdah for the Muslim community ladies was broken to an extent as more ladies stepped out.
Numaish is held for 45 days, and becomes the buzz of the town. People crowd in here from all over the city and from neighboring places and so all roads of the city lead to it. Most often, considering the heavy flow of people even in the 45 day period, this Numaish or Nampally Exhibition as it is also called, is extended for 2-3 more days. The State Government also encourages Numaish as a tourism spot in Hyderabad.
It started as a plain market, but now makes a great family outing spot. There are medical facilities also available, like Ultrasound checkup and Blood sugar testing. Mushaira or poetry, magic shows, cultural evenings, musical concerts are regularly held during this exhibition. Mini train, Ferris wheel, Columbus are entertainments available for children. The famous Hyderabadi biryani and other delicacies are served at food stalls. There are also Rangoli making, painting and flower arrangement competitions for children.
Parking is a problem here as the rush at Numaish is tremendous on all days. But the revenue collected is fairly large as lakhs of people visit each year. Currently, CCTV cameras are fixed and live streaming of the Nampally exhibition is posted on the internet. From the 100 stalls that the Numaish started with, it has grown incredibly. Not only does the Numaish today gratify the basic needs or the entertainment aspect of the people, but it is a heritage in itself. The culture of this exhibition, more than 75 years, for the sake of the people of Hyderabad and Telangana is still in continuation.
Nampally Exhibition Entry Fee: Rs. 20/- per person
Free for Children’s below 5 years
For Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons: No Entry Fee
Car Parking Fee Outside Exhibition Grounds:
Four Wheeler: Rs.50/-
Two Wheeler: Rs.20/-
Car Parking inside exhibition grounds is Free.
Four Wheeler: Free
Two Wheeler: Free
Nampally Exhibition Timings All days: 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Address : Exhibition Grounds,
Mukarram Jahi Road, Nampally,
Hyderabad – 500001
Phone: (040) 24603015, 24603553, 24608589
