Just Walking Around

Crawford Market to Chor Bazaar ----Unique Bazaar’s of SoBo

When you travelled to SoBo or the erstwhile South Bombay and now known as South Mumbai a feeling of nostalgia sweeps over. The buildings in these areas are replete with distinct British Architecture and the bylanes so small and crowded that you are transported to a by gone era. Most of these buildings are classified as Class 1 Heritage Buildings like the Victoria Terminus (Chatrapatti Shivaji Terminus) with its classic dome and distinct pillars with figures of Lions representing the Colonial past. And that famous figurine a lady a top the main dome. The station building is designed in the High Victorian Gothic style of architecture. The building exhibits a fusion of influences from Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and classical Indian architecture. The skyline, turrets, pointed arches, and eccentric ground plan are close to classical Indian palace architecture. Same is the case with the BMC building right across.

 But some of the interesting places are just close by and a little walking around can land you in the shopper paradise of Crawford Market.

Founded in 1871, the market was initially known as 'Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market'. It got the name 'Crawford Market' after city's Municipal Commissioner, Arthur Crawford. The construction of the market building was completed in 1869 and businesses commenced in 1871. At the time, the British would often send their domestic help to buy the freshest produce from the market. The British were also the first to start selling hordes of important foods in one single place. Therefore, if you are looking for some good deals on fruit and vegetables and some imported food, then, Crawford Market is the place to be.

Spread over a vast area of 72,000 sq. yards, Crawford Market is extremely famous for its architecture. The impressive frieze at the entrance of the market will astonish the tourists. The place is also designed in such a manner so that it receives ample sunlight during the day. One of the main features of this market is the Clock Tower, adorned with intricate Victorian carvings. Built in 1871, this market was designed and conceptualized by William Emerson. Another interesting fact is that the market first got electricity in 1882, and became the first market in India to receive electricity.

The market is one of the most popular shopping areas of the city. If one wants to savor how the local dwellers shop, then there is nothing better than heading out to Crawford Market, which is open on 6 days of the week. The Crawford Market offers an exciting shopping experience for those who love to splurge. One of the most vibrant markets in the city, a whole array of dazzling fruits, vegetables and poultry can be found here. The mix of the fragrances vegetables, combined with the aromas of the fresh cheese and homemade chocolate, make it an interesting visit for tourists.

This market is famous for all things from pins , to stationary , to party accessories to the crockeries and even artificial flowers used for decorations. Each lane has a distinct character. In the lane next to Sadanand Hotel you can find shops stocking gift items and accessories for parties be it birthday party or the newest trend of Baby Shower . Here you can get wholesellers selling toys to stationery items to soft toys. In accessories you can get party masks , crowns , Selfie nick-nacks like the goofy sunglasses , head gears, false moustache’s etc.

A near by lane stocks sling bags , gym bags , school bags , haversacks , laptop bags. Some specialize in purses , clutch’s , tote’s , sling’s , satchel’s, hobo’s and messenger bags. Close by you get a variety of home furnishing items like carpets , curtains , bed sheets , face towels etc. In another lane you can get artificial flowers of wide variety. Looking at them you can’t make out the difference that they are not real, only when touch them do you realize they are artificial. You can buy orchid’s , tulips, roses , carnations, jasmines and many more. You can also get artificial grass available in square or rectangular patches which can be laid on the ground to make an artificial turf. In the same lane you can get plastic pots for planting real plants. Also the you can get metallic cages , lanterns and other accessories which can be hung in your windows or balconies. Making your home look beautiful.

If you want to purchase some LED electric bulbs or those rice bulbs that twinkle in their bright colored hues’ you can walk down to Lohar chawl which is just few yards away.The Lohar Chawl is market to be to Lamp up your lighting game with some of the best picks.Lohar Chawl, is the most underrated wholesale market for lighting in the city. Do up your pad, office or that potential reading space in that little corner in your room. There are two kinds of people in the world – bright light lovers and low-light owls. If you fall in the latter category, this lamp is for you. The rope gives it a grungy, rough-around-the-edges look and the bulb provides the right amount of light needed to space out at night. The market is a great place to haggle. Before you could even start, the shopkeeper mentions that there’s always a 40 per cent discount on in the market.Then there is this cane lamp-cum-bookshelf and understood the meaning of love at first sight. Lightweight, easy to transport and durable – it can make you feel weak in the knees.Another trending lamp is the Floor Lamp -A tripod-style floor lamp, this one’s ideal for those who love the big movie-style lights. Ideal for creating that cosy corner with a bookshelf in tow. Mason Lamps -Take your relationship with mason jars to the next level with this colourful mason jar chandelier. Perfect for adding that pop of colour over your dining table or the staircase leading up to your room.Fairy Lights - Where do we even start with the blessing that fairy lights are for those who like to keep it simple and cheap? But durability is an issue with the ones you find at your local electrical shop. Lohar Chawl has quality fairy and LED lights, not the ones with flimsy wires, but the real deal.Dance Dance Lights - These lights will take you from ‘Let’s go out dancing tonight’ to ‘Let’s stay in and dance’ within seconds. They are awesome , totally tripped-out dance lights available starting at INR 1,000.

Bulbception -You can find Edison and Christopher Nolan’s love child in a shop close by. A bulb inside a bulb is pure genius in terms of design {the light fell beautifully} and that quirk factor that it comes with. Available at INR 1,500 per piece, you can mix up different colours and shapes and create something of your own.

Next on the list will be  the Bhuleshwar –Kalbadevi Markets . Things that you can buy from Bhuleshwar –Kalbadevi ,can fill everything from your wardrobe to kitchen. But a few things, of course, stand out.

Chudiyaan or Bangles .When you are in an area renowned for casting bangles in brass, copper, iron and, of course, glass and when those bangles have a global fan following you just cannot miss buying some of that stuff, can you? From your sweetheart  to your aunt, who doesn’t like some colourful bangles especially bought for them!

Sarees -The Bhuleshwar market offers a range of sarees to choose from five yards or nine yards, bright and light, fancy or simple. If you are in the saree phase (owing to constant exposure to Bollywood divas like DeepikaPadukone or Priyanka Chopra), Bhuleshwar saree market is the place to be.

 Flowers -The presence of a number of temples like Mumba Devi Temple and Swani Narayan Temple in the area boosted the demand for flowers to such an extent that they developed an entire lane for flowers. The fragrance makes PhoolGali (Flower Street) a favourite spot among the shoppers

Mirchi Gully -Known as Mumbais Kabuliwallah, the place offers a range of sweets, namkeens, after-meal digestives and other spices.

And then for all the antique and wooden furniture shopping you can visit the Chor Bazaar. ‘Chor Bazaar’, the famously called Thieves market close from Grant Road Station of South Mumbai which is famous for any type of second hand and also stolen products. To keep the product range simple, i must add anything means anything, from PIN to PIANO and much more than one expect. This bazaar has its own crowd who get attracted at its multi-lane flea like market. All types of people visit this market for their individual needs. It is now one of the famous attractions for Tourists. Specialty being as it is said that when you don’t get an old or outdated product in regular market, the final destination visit and checkout is the Chor Bazaar with an hope of getting it. Say it range of old historic items used to decorate home, iron products, mobiles, gadgets or some that looks hardly working any more are all on for sale at shops and footpath of all its lanes. Although the name is Chor Bazaar, but in reality not all goods sold here is stolen. Being cheap in cost has many other reasons like most stuff sold here is Second Hand (Used) and Special Friday markets for Duplicate products (Locally Called FIRST COPY) which looks exactly same like the original brand but at price half or much less than half the original brand product. And so is this ‘Cheap Stuff Market’ got so famous and crowded, Specially on Fridays between 4:30 Am to 7:00 am (The Special Night Markets of Chor Bazaar).

Today also it is said that its a combination of both stolen and second hand products which are sold openly here. Majority of people having owned shops and rented selling things here are Muslims, as the other locations are dominated with same community people. Such adjacent famous locations are Bhendi Bazaar, Mazjid Bunder, Pydhonie to list a few of them. One needs to be very smart when it comes to buying products here, be it some old Bollywood posters, a binoculars, gymnasium iron Dumbbells, multi coloured stones gem rings, or those old gramophones and their records and to list the latest mobile phones and much more which are all available here. The smartness to pick the correct working product at correct price as generally they cost every product rates 2 to 3 times and then bargain. Mind you their people skill in selling and checking your bargain skill are really good. Once you show the interest in any product in this bazaar and start the bargain you are targeted for sale, Try not to argue or get into fight with anyone in this market for any reason. If you like it bargain and take it or just say ‘Its OK’ or in Hindi ‘Nahi Chahiye’, I was just interested in knowing the cost.you will also find some real decently Organized shops inside with antiquities being sold, and trust me if you are one of those old stuff collectors of Old Indian Coins, Chor Bazaar is the best place in Mumbai.. Thursday late night OR say Friday Early morning Market, Timings (Between 4:00 to 7:00 in Morning) are special. But the day being Jumma (Friday) has 2 special markets inside the 3rd main Chor Bazaar lane and Wagdi ground. By 3:30 Am all sellers unload their electronic goods at these Wagdi ground inside busy lanes.

Friday special sale ground is what this One Night Electronic Market is named with, ‘Wagdi Bazaar’ is a small open space inside busy colony and lanes of Chor Bazaar. About few Hundred people can be seen at this limited capacity ground for Second Hand Electronic Products Sellers. It has a small Gate which gets closed just an hour before 4:30 Am when the market begins and as soon the vendors are ready with the unloaded trucks of electronic goods the gates are thrown open to Mumbai people.

Wagdi Bazaar attracts youth as major electronic high brands products from iPad to Drones and almost many / all others can be seen just thrown open on a small piece of plastic spread on floor of this Wagdi ground and people jumps in to check and get the cheapest deal . Bargaining is a must but a solid tip to remember is Do Not get into argument or word war here, You may find good people and few worst ( ‘Shana’ as Mumbai Slangs says), So better grab your deal and move out quietly. Then there is the Andheri Bazaar -- a market specialized in selling Shoes , Jeans, leather jackets , Hoodies & similar 1^st hand apparels and stuff. Many college going youths visit this market at this early hour odd timings to get great deals on all types of Branded shoes (Reebok, Nike and any other brand and costliest shoes) you say are available at as cheap as below Rs.1000.

So next time you are in a mood for shopping do try these crazy markets of South Mumbai. A total paisa vasool. But do Wear your  haggling skills on your sleeve before visiting these SoBo Bazaar’s.

Happy Haggling….