All India Industrial Exhibition (Numaish)

Every winter, a huge fair takes over the heart of Hyderabad for 46 days. Families come for shopping, giant wheel rides and plates of hot haleem. This fair is Numaish, also known as the All India Industrial Exhibition. It has been held almost every year since 1938, and it is one of the city’s best loved traditions.

Our older post on Numaish had a few small errors about how it began. We have rewritten this guide with checked facts, simple words and the latest details for visitors.

What Is Numaish?

“Numaish” is an Urdu word that means “exhibition”. The fair’s full name is Numaish Masnuat e Mulki, which means “exhibition of local products and crafts”. It is a yearly consumer fair, where traders and artisans from across India sell their goods directly to visitors.

The fair is held at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally, Hyderabad, in Telangana. It covers about 23 acres, or 9.3 hectares. It is said to be the only event of its kind in the world that runs for 46 days at a stretch at one permanent venue.

The event has gone by two names. It was renamed the All India Industrial Exhibition, and in 2009 it went back to its original name, Numaish. Today, both names are used. The organisers still call each edition the All India Industrial Exhibition.

How Numaish Began

The idea came from the Economic Committee of the Osmania Graduates Association. These were graduates of Osmania University in Hyderabad. They wanted a fair to promote local products and crafts.

The plan was backed by Sir Akbar Hydari, then Prime Minister of Hyderabad State. The Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, also supported it. The first fair was held in 1938 at the Public Gardens, with about 50 stalls.

In 1946, the event moved to the Exhibition Grounds near Nampally railway station. It has been held there ever since. One of the founders, Sri Shankerji, served as secretary of the first exhibition committee. He guided the organisation for more than thirty years.

Numaish 2026 at a Glance

The 85th edition of Numaish ran from 1 January to 15 February 2026. Here are the key details from that edition:

• Timings: 4 pm to 10.30 pm on working days, and until 11 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
• Entry ticket: ₹50 per person. Children below five years entered free.
• Stalls: About 1,050 manufacturers and artisans from across India, along with local sellers.
• Food: Around 20 food stalls.
• Tickets: Visitors could also book tickets online and show a QR code at the gate.

In recent years, Numaish has opened on 1 January. The Exhibition Society had not announced the 2027 dates at the time of writing, so check its official notices before you plan a visit.

What You Can Buy at Numaish

Numaish is a shopper’s delight. Sellers come from many states, so you can find things from all over India in one place. Popular items include:

• Dry fruits, nuts and handicrafts from Jammu and Kashmir.
• Handmade clothes from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
• Handloom fabrics such as Banarasi silk, Kanchipuram silk and Pochampally ikat.
• Wooden crafts, brass items and terracotta products.
• Leather shoes, sandals, wallets and belts.
• Electronic goods from well known brands.

There are also special stalls run by women’s groups and even by prison inmates. Until 2011, the fair had carpets from Iran and some stalls from Pakistan. Those stalls stopped from 2012 for diplomatic reasons.

Food and Fun

Things to Eat

Food is a big draw at Numaish. The famous Hyderabadi haleem is sold at the fair by the Hyderabad restaurant Pista House. Haleem is a thick stew of meat, wheat or barley, lentils and spices. It is slow cooked for seven to eight hours and then beaten into a smooth paste.

You will also find regional snacks, sweets, ice cream and soft drinks. The drinks sold at the fair are non alcoholic. For more of the city’s famous dishes, see our list of top 10 Indian cuisines, which includes Hyderabadi biryani.

Rides and Shows

Children love the amusement rides. These include the giant wheel, the Columbus ride and the “Wheel of Death”. Games begin in the evening, from 6 pm.

The Exhibition Club hosts cultural programmes during the 46 days. These include classical and popular music concerts, magic shows and mushairas. A mushaira is a gathering where poets recite Urdu poems. In recent years, film stars from Bollywood and the Telugu film industry have also performed.

The 75th edition opened on 1 January 2015. It had special programmes in Telugu and Urdu, including ghazal nights with songs by poets like Ghalib and Faiz. That year, the society also honoured the famous singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.

More Than a Fair

Numaish is run by the Exhibition Society, a non profit body set up in 1938. The money it earns is used for education. According to the society, its proceeds support 20 educational institutions, with nearly 30,000 students each year.

The fair is also big business. In 2011, about 2.1 million people visited it, and the society earned about ₹13 crore. The fair gives work to many people and helps small makers reach big crowds.

Numaish has faced hard times too. On the night of 30 January 2019, a big fire broke out at the grounds. It destroyed at least 200 stalls. In 2021, the fair was cancelled because of the COVID 19 pandemic. In 2022, it was delayed and finally ended on 8 April.

Special Days and Events

Numaish is about more than shopping. The society plans special days and contests during the fair. In 2026, its calendar included a Ladies Day on 6 January and a cookery competition on 7 February. There was also a singing contest called Numaish Sur Star.

The society uses modern tools to run the fair. Since 2012, it has used a Geographical Information System, a digital mapping tool, to give out stall spaces. Live video of the fair has also been streamed online.

Safety at the Fair

After the 2019 fire, safety has become a key focus. For the 2026 edition, the organisers set up 82 fire hydrants fed by large underground water tanks. Two fire engines stayed on site throughout the fair. About 120 CCTV cameras watched the grounds, and 106 security staff were posted at the gates and inside. Volunteers were on hand to help women and elderly visitors.

How to Reach Numaish

The Exhibition Grounds are in Nampally, in central Hyderabad. The fair has three gates:

• Gate 1, the Gandhi Bhavan Gate.
• Gate 2, the Ajanta Gate, which is the main and biggest entrance.
• Gate 3, the Goshamahal Gate.

The easiest way to get there is by Hyderabad Metro. Get off at Gandhi Bhavan or Nampally Metro station. During the 2026 fair, metro trains ran more often and for longer hours. TGSRTC also ran special buses to the grounds. In 2026, free parking was arranged at nearby sites such as Gruha Kalpa, Chandra Vihar and Gagan Vihar. A paid multi level car park also opened near Handloom House, close to Gate 1.

While you are in the city, visit its most famous monument. Hyderabad was founded by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth Qutb Shahi sultan. He built the Charminar in 1591, and it remains the symbol of the city. Read our post about Charminar. If you visit Hyderabad in February, look out for the Deccan Festival in Hyderabad too. For a green break, try the KBR National Park.

Simple Tips for Visitors

• Check the dates first. Look for the Exhibition Society’s notice on opening dates, timings and ticket prices.
• Book online. You can buy tickets on the society’s website and show the QR code at the gate.
• Go early on weekdays. The fair opens at 4 pm, and evenings bring the biggest crowds.
• Take the metro. It drops you close to the gates and saves you the parking hunt.
• Watch your things. Keep bags and phones safe in crowded lanes, and fix a meeting point if you visit with children.

What We Changed From the Old Post

• The old post said a group of Osmania University students started the fair. It was the idea of the Osmania Graduates Association, backed by Sir Akbar Hydari and the Nizam.
• It said the fair has always been at Nampally. The first fair in 1938 was at the Public Gardens; it moved to Nampally in 1946.
• We replaced the vague line that the fair “grosses sums in crores” with real figures from 2011.
• We explained the two names, Numaish and All India Industrial Exhibition.
• We added the 2026 timings, ticket price, safety steps, how the money is used and travel tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Numaish last?

It runs for 46 days. The 2026 edition was held from 1 January to 15 February.

What was the Numaish entry fee in 2026?

The ticket cost ₹50 per person. Children below five entered free.

Which metro station is nearest to Numaish?

Gandhi Bhavan and Nampally Metro stations are the closest.

When did Numaish start?

The first Numaish was held in 1938 at the Public Gardens in Hyderabad.