Tuesday, March 1, 2011

In the Bazaars of Hyderabad ... SULTAN BAZAAR

What to expect?

 Commotion, chaos and a sea of crowd - this is what greets you at Sultan Bazaar, one of the best shopping avenues in the city. From readymade garments for every wardrobe in the house at dirt-cheap prices and footwear for Rs.100, to home furnishings like cushion covers, curtains, bedspreads at Rs.200, to automobile repairs, car dealers, computer dealers and peripherals, to farm fresh vegetables, flowers at wholesale rates, everything is available here.

A Little History…
Formerly called Residency Bazaar under the rule of the British, Sultan bazaar was the most popular and largest market. After 1933, the land was restored to Nizam VII, Osman Ali Khan Bahadur who christened it Sultan Bazaar.
In the crowded market street an old grey building stands out just on the corner of Badi Chowdi lane no 3. Built in 1915 by the british, this is the Badi Chowdi Police Station.

Sultan Bazaar spans from the Veer Sawarkar Statue, Kacheguda Chowrasta towards the East, between Badi Chowdi and Royal theatre road. Strategically positioned street hawkers tempt you with coconuts, chat, eggs & omlets, fast food, sugar cane & fruit juices. After you’ve stocked up on glucose, dive into the brimming crowd coexisting with the calls of street pedlars and modern, inviting signboards.

Badi Chowdi as the name suggests is an enormous and a lengthy area to shop around. Anything and everything can be found on this stretch of road.

On the left of Badi Chowdi lies Victory Market. Loaded with fresh flowers, and vegetables and even unusual roots like Panipal or Singada, this market is where your local vegetable vendors come to shop.
Take a right towards Royal theatre road to find an amalgam of clothes in excellent colour schemes and Zardozi embroidery and daily wear for 20 percent less than in the malls, bangles and jewelry to match your trousseau, beaded handbags, fashion jewelry and premium jewelry, cosmetics and many more.
As you turn onto to Royal Theatre road stop by Royal frames, and Sri Thunga Swamy Kanchi Silks, some of the oldest shops in this part of the city. This area also boasts of a silver market and not to miss, the famous dress rentals, Babu Rao Dresses, which provides costumes for films, theater and dance shows.


What’s to See?

• Hanuman Mandir -As you stroll futher the market road curves to the left until you reach the Hanuman Mandir, Badi Chowdi. This ancient temple is known to draw pilgrims from all over Andhra as it is considered very influential by devotees of Lord Hanuman.
• Hanuman Vyayamshala’s-name has become a generic for gyms now, but this humble-looking structure that sits obscurely in a Sultan Bazaar gully, is the oldest and the original forerunner for physical exercise among youngsters across India.


Foodies Delight!
• Don’t miss the 25-year-old bread omelet adda as you enter Badi Chowdi.
• Singada or water chestnut, brown shelled and mild to taste, are also available here.
• Rambharosa Sweet shop is an ancient sweet shop popular in this area for his Gulab Jamun.
• Try Panchami Tiffins for some pongal and vada sambhar.
• The Sohan lal milk and laasi store, next to the singer showroom on Royal Theatre road cannot be missed! The old man sitting at the counter makes the lassi himself with a generous douse of khova top top and tall glass of sweet lassi (Rs.12).

The Better Deals!
The best buys include women's wear, slippers & shoes, bangles and other trinkets.
• The footwear is available at bargain rates from Rs. 100 onwards in the small stalls.
• And don’t miss the Chudidhars for as low as Rs.90!
• If you’re putting your trousseau together and are short of time go to Aasmaan Lakh bangles, and they will whip out bangles to match your sarees within your budget, ranging from glass, kundan, lakh, metal in all colours - 66137610, 9848786304
• Located next to the police station, Shanti’s ethnic as well as contemporary clothes glitter and woo you in.

Tips for Shopping

• Let the clock strike 5 and the sleepy Badi Chowdi street throngs with bargain hunters. So remember the best bargains are met in the afternoon, while everyone is taking a siesta.
• Parking Piazza: Limited M.C.C paid parking available on the main road for Rs.10/ per

2 comments:

Lalitha Priya said...

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