Indian Bazaars - A Feast For The Senses
Marketplaces are a vibrant mixture of textures and intoxicating tastes and aromas. No matter what's for sale -- fresh produce, arts and crafts, jewelry, or antiques -- these local markets often reveal a more authentic side of a destination.
Chaotic, colorful, noisy, musical, loud and sometimes overwhelming, there’s no experience quite as memorable for the shopper as the bazaars of India.
As you wander through the streets lined with stalls, engaging with the vendors hawking their wares you could chance upon a rare artifact for your home, a coveted outfit for an exclusive evening or a set of bangles that will make you remember this one of a kind experience.
The joy of bargaining your way to a great deal as you find those one of a kind hand made souvenirs that will make you the envy of friends back home. Lets wander through some stalls both in Delhi and Calcutta on my recent visit and see what manner of goods might be a good acquisition.
Decorative flowers and home decorations made from Shola a traditional craft of Bengal. Shola is an aquatic herb which grows in the wild, in marshy waterlogged areas also referred to as Indian cork. Local artisans make intricate decorative objects from the soft, supple porous and light weight core of the Shola stem. This is a one of kind souvenir only available here in Bengal.
An evening out, no problem, you can get everything from hair ornaments, evening bags and sarees here.
Some jewelry to match, more choices in evening bags, gifts for friends back home, happily spend time browsing through these stalls in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk market.
Aladdin’s cave. Perhaps you’ll be lucky to find a lamp you can rub and release a genie to grant you three wishes.
The wholesale Flower Market in Calcutta. Apparently there are more than marigolds that are traded and sold here but looking at the crowds I decided to play safe and not venture down further into that melee.
Another tradition in Bengal and other nearby states is the “gamcha” which literally translated means “wiping the body”. It’s a piece of woven cloth that can be used as a towel to dry off after a bath or to wipe sweat in the hot and humid climate. It’s pretty versatile and can also be worn as a covering.
Brass decorative items to be used for household decorations. Since this was just before Kali puja they are mostly vessels used for the prayer ceremonies on display here.
Fruit sellers selling all manner of fresh exotic fruits.
Living in one of the most fertile regions of the USA, we get all manner of tropical fruits so for the most part I don’t miss the fruits and vegetables of my childhood but then there are the more exotic fruits like “custard apples” also known as cherimoya which are not easily available.
I was happy to see it was in season so we indulged at $2.50 a piece which was well worth it to revisit the flavors of my childhood.
A Dry Fruit and Spice store all ready with gifts for the major festivals of the season. Quite a contrast to Trader Joes in the USA where many of us buy dry fruit.
Fancy skirts (Lenghas) anyone? These are richly decorated in gold and intricate embroidery more for weddings than every day wear. Wandering through the Lengha Lane in Chandi Chowk.
A successful merchant is one who understands his market and stocks what sells. Clearly in today’s climate masks are an important accessory. A whole sale stationary store that has added a whole section of customizable masks.