Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav at Rashtrapati Nilayam closes with 1.8 lakh visitors, 2.5 crore sales

The usually quiet interiors of Hyderabad’s Bolarum, where traffic typically flows smoothly along the military roads, witnessed severe congestion on Sunday as thousands of visitors made their way to the Rashtrapati Nilayam for the final day of the nine-day Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav. Long queues of vehicles stretched across the approach roads, with many spending considerable time inside their cars before reaching the entry point. 

According to organisers, the event recorded about 1.8 lakh visitors over nine days and generated more than ₹2.5 crore in stall sales. By Saturday night, the visitor count had already crossed 1.4 lakh. Speaking to The Hindu, Rashtrapati Nilayam manager Rajani Priya said that between 14,500 and 15,000 people had entered the venue by Sunday afternoon, while another 15,000 had registered through online booking. She said the cumulative turnout was expected to rise sharply by the end of the day.

Visitors faced a waiting line of nearly 100 metres at the entrance as they queued up to experience the cultural and traditional displays of the western States. Once inside, the crowds dispersed towards the pavilions showcasing the heritage of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

At the Rajasthan pavilion, handicraft seller Saaho Ram from Jalore said the reception in Hyderabad had been extraordinary. He said he had made sales worth ₹2 lakh and added that he would miss Hyderabad after returning home.

The Maharashtra pavilion was among the most crowded, with paithani saree sellers reporting strong business. “While Paithanis are expensive due to the intricate work involved, we still managed to sell a significant number. Accessories such as clutches and wallets were in even greater demand,” said Omkar Ratnakar Rode from Shirdi, adding that being part of the festival had been an absolute delight.

The footfall at the Nilayam included families, children and older adults, many of whom were enjoying the ongoing cultural performances featuring dance forms from the participating States. The festive atmosphere was evident across the grounds, with several visitors praising the variety and scale of the event.

However, not everything went smoothly. Many visitors expressed frustration over confusion at the entry gate regarding backpacks, handbags and purses. Sandeep Yadav, a visitor, said they were informed only upon arrival that bags had to be scanned and tokens collected in order to gain entry. “We understand the security concerns but the lack of prior communication caused us delay of nearly an hour on an already busy day,” he added.