Mumbai is a major port and the country's largest
and wealthiest consumer markets. Exclusive boutiques,
ethnic markets and mini bazaars have made Mumbai
a shopper's paradise. Most of the handicrafts
Emporia and bazars are located in the downtown
area. Crawford Market, Chor Bazar (Thieves Market),
Mangaldas Market, World Trade Centre, Fashion
Street, Flora Fountain, Colaba Causeway, Oberoi
Shopping Centre, Breach Candy, Linking Road and
Zaveri Bazar are the main shopping centers in
Mumbai.
Colaba Causeway and Fashion Street are the best
place to bargain for clothes. Some of the most
trendy and costly shops are at Breach Candy and
Kemps Corner. The most interesting bazaars are
in Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar. Shops are generally
open from around 10am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.
Some large shops open on Sunday and busy areas
like Colaba Causeway are open for business seven
days a week from early in the morning until late
at night. The following are some of the main shopping
centers in Mumbai.
Crawford Market
Also known as Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Market named
after a local patriot, the old Victorian building
is located north of the Victoria Terminus station.
Built in 1869, it used to be the city's wholesale
produce market. Just above the main entrance there
is a bas-relief designed by Lockyard Kipling,
father of Rudyard Kipling depicting workers in
a wheat field. The market has interesting varieties
of fresh produce at wholesale rates- fruits and
vegetables, a meat section, imported cheese, chocolate
etc. There is a bazaar area Lohar chawl across
the street with an extensive range of goods. Nearby
is Kiplings' cottage where Rudyard was born. Open
Monday to Saturday 11:30am-8pm
Address: D. Naoroji Rd, L. Tilak Rd, Mumbai
The Mangaldas Market
The Mangaldas Market is the largest indoor cloth
and dress material market in Mumbai. There are
hundreds of stalls where you can buy beautiful
material from the finest silk saris to raw cotton.
Open Monday to Saturday 11.30 am to 8 pm.
Address: Sheikh Memon Street, Near Crawford Market,
Mumbai, 400002
Chor Bazar (Thieves Market)
Chor Bazar is a paradise for the antique hunter.
It is arguably one of Mumbai's best shopping centers.
This much talked about market in Mumbai occupied
by an odd collection of shops deals with goods
from second hand car parts to handmade furniture.
One can buy good painting, jewellery, wooden articles,
statues, leather ware and general bric-a-brac,
silver coins and lots of other things from here.
There are a number of shops where bargain is possible.
The main avenue is Mutton Street, flanked by rows
of little antique shops. Open Sat-Thurs 11am-7pm.
Address: Mutton Street, Between SV Patel and
Moulana Shaukat Ali Road, Mumbai, 400003
Zaveri Bazar (Jewellery Market)
Zaveri Bazar offers a range of jewellery in diamond,
gold and silver. The market is crowded and bursting
at the seams. Napkin rings, picture frames, snuff
boxes, bangles and necklaces in old silver can
be purchased for reasonable prices. This is where
the Mumbai's bullion exchange and diamond market
used to be, though it is now primarily a retail
centre. Mumbadevi temple is nearby. Open Monday
to Saturday 11am-7pm
Address: Near Charni Road, Sheik Memon Street,
Mumbai, 400033
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