Bargain shops rest on mines here, of the gold kind. Yes, one does find a goldmine of bargain shops in this side of the world. Flea shops aren’t always about affordability. They’re also about making you way through, digging in and pealing your eyes to find something that doesn’t look like its straight out of a low budget sci-fi movie, healthy arguments about price, bargaining, whining, bargaining some more and finally possessing that awesome designer knock off. Looks ekdum real na? This is not to say authentic designer wear is not sold at these shops. Genuine Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, H&M, Armani and many more are obtainable here are dirt cheap prices. These are generally export rejects with some minor flaw, something which is barely noticeable by the naked eye.
A day spent at a chaotic bargain bazaar is a day well spent and the unpitying burning sun just adds to the fun, no really it doesn’t, I’m just kidding. The swamp like route, the junk infested way, bombardment of people, lots and lots of people, the pushes and shoves, the haggling arguments, sight of populace consuming super spicy fare in heat with their sweat trickling down, bargain shops do come with their load of repulsiveness. But as it turns out, it’s an experience far more incredible than a day at a mall. Plus, the bagful of goodies at a steal doesn’t hurt either. If you’ve been in India and haven’t made your way to a ‘haggle land’ near you, and let me end this article in the most typical way possible, you’re missing out big.
Delhi
Janpath and Tibetan Market
Paharganj Main Bazaar
Sarojini Nagar Market
Chandni Chowk
Lajpat Nagar (Central Market)
Bangalore
Russell Market
Majestic Market
BVK Iyengar Road
Commercial Street
Mumbai
Colaba Causeway
Fashion Street
Chor Bazaar
Zaveri Bazaar
Bandra-Linking Road
Kolkata
New Market
Dakshinapan Shopping Center
Chowringhee Road
AC Market
College Street
Chennai
Egmore Street
Kodambakkam High Road
Khaddar Nawaz Khan Road
Pune
M.G. Road
Koregaon Park
Fergusson College Road
Juna Bazaar
Chandigarh
Azad Hind Market
Agra
Kinari Bazaar
Shilpgram area
Sadar Bazaar
Munro Road
Ahmedabad
Teen Darwaja
V. Ravjiy
Raja Super Market
Dhal Garwood market
Hyderabad
Charminar
Begum Bazaar
Jaipur
Miss India, M.I. Road
Johari Bazaar
Nehru Bazaar
Bapu Bazaar
Thiruvananthapuaram
Chalai Bazar, M .G. Road
Connemara Market (Palayam Market)