Enchanting Erragadda

A whole range of consumer goods, from branded items to smuggled products to farm-fresh vegetables -- all for the cheapest rate. This is what Erragadda has to offerWith neem trees scattered around, letting cool breeze to caress the tired vegetable vendors and hurrying pedestrians, centuries old Erragadda is abuzz with activities.

Businessmen of Erragadda, including small merchants and vendors, are planning to organise a week- long celebrations as its famed Sunday Market is going to complete 100-years. The popular Sunday Market is a place where hundreds throng to buy accessories, tools and domestic vessels at the cheapest price in the market. The Sunday Market is also famous for smuggled goods - branded items like watches, TV sets, Refrigerators, cameras, VCDs, shoes and modern key chains.

Initially known as Bhoolkhanguda village, this locality got the name Erragadda because during ancient days, people living in the area used to build their houses with Red Soil available in plenty. Erra means Red and Gadda means Soil.

A local merchant, Aryakatika Balaraju, who is running an accessories business in the area said, "My forefathers told me when we were kids that Nizams used to visit the Sunday Market and buy different kind of birds for their daily dish," said Balaraju.Several mentally ill patients get treated at the Government Mental Hospital located in the area.

"The mental hospital was set up during Nizam's era and has been treating people with mental disorder ever since. Even Nizam's sister used to visit the place to get relief as the area was full of Neem trees," said Yadgiri, an employee in mental hospital.Residents belong to different backgrounds and a mix of religions is present here.

The Hanuman Temple at Czech Colony is a famous place of worship for Hindus. Christianity was brought to this area by the Silesian missionaries, who introduced early education to this area. St. Theresa's Church is very popular Christian shrine here. Another land mark is 'Angrezi buildings', which was built by Nizam Abdul Doula to provide accommodation to the first British Governor to India, Lord Rippon. The Erragadda Model Rytu Bazaar is the largest in the state and witnesses heavy rush by customers every day.

"The Erragadda Rytu Bazaar is famous and thousands of customers visit the spot during weekend. People from Ameerpet, Yousufguda, Jubilee Hills, Begumpet, Sanathnagar, and Kukatpally visit the place every day," said K R Vijay Kumar, Estate Officer of the Rytu Bazaar.