Famous Traditional Markets in India

By: Hritika Sharma

Shopping is like therapy to most of us. In the time of online shopping, the culture of traditional markets in India still survives. A trip to such markets is always an authentic experience. Here is a list of 6 famous traditional markets in India which reflect the culture of the place they are located in:

Johari Bazaar, Jaipur

Located near Hawa Mahal, Johari Bazaar is the oldest market area in Jaipur. As the name suggests, it is famous for a wide range of beautiful jewelry, artifacts, and cultural values. Each piece of the jewelry is carefully crafted to represent the ‘Thewa’ and ‘Kundan’ jewelry, which is a specialty of Rajasthan. It is also an ideal place to shop for fabric, Textile material, lehengas, jutis and saris, and blue pottery. It opens at 10:00 AM and closes by 11:00 PM every day.

Dilli Haat, New Delhi

A shopper’s paradise, Dilli Haat is not just a market, it also showcases Indian art and heritage through craft, cuisines, and cultural activities. It was established by the government to provide a platform for artisans to come and sell their manufactured articles. It opens at 10:30 AM and closes by 10:00 PM every day.

IMA Market, Imphal

IMA Market or mother’s market is a 16th-century bazaar in the state of Manipur, which is run solely by women. A variety of products such as fruits, vegetables, spices, utensils, and textiles are available in this market. It is the largest all-women market in Asia, hosting around 5000 to 6000 female vendors.
The timing of the market differs.

Lakkar Bazaar, Shimla

Located adjacent to the Ridge in Shimla, Lakkar bazaar is a popular marketplace famous for its wooden toys and decorative pieces made by a small group of Sikh carpenters. The beautifully crafted walking sticks are very popular among other items like key chains, spoons, pots, and candle stands.
It opens at 9:00 AM and closes by 7:00 PM every day.

Floating Vegetable Market, Srinagar

The floating vegetable market on Dal Lake in Srinagar is a unique sight to relish. The main source of the vegetables sold on the Shikara boats is the floating gardens in the natural wetlands of Srinagar where the cultivation of these vegetables takes place. The market opens only for two hours from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM.

New Market, Kolkata

Located in the heart of Kolkata, the New Market was the first municipal market established for the British residents of India in the year 1874. It is a well-planned and executed market housing shop for different products from Garments, jewelry, electronics to groceries, kitchen items, and flowers.
The market is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on all days of the week except for Sunday.