Travel and vacation have always involved shopping, whether for souvenirs hunts or daily utility usage. Human nature is driven by the instinct to collect things that capture our attention, which is the main reason why travellers deviate from their tour plans to indulge in some shopping.
Local markets offer an excellent opportunity to shop for indigenous and locally grown items that have the flavour of the destinations you visit.
Besides exquisite zardozi sarees, gorgeous Mulberry silk, and hand-woven crafts, Bhopal is a paradise for shopaholics. Make the most of your days with sightseeing tours in Bhopal and surroundings, but leave some time between for shopping until you drop. Why go to shopping malls, a closed structure, when you can make the sky your ceiling, adding zing to your shopping experience. Instead, think local, go local - head to street markets and bazaars for a real taste of the land.
Find out where you can indulge in a guilt-free shopping spree at these five places.
Chowk Bazaar
There is no better place to do hard-core shopping than Chowk Bazaar. Known for its tobacco, veils, dust, and eunuchs (zarda, purdah, garda, and namarda), the Chowk is also dotted with a few old Havelis, like Shaukat Mahal and Sardar Manzil, as well as several ancient museums and mosques. Additionally, you'll find a variety of shops and stores along the narrow alleyways in this area where you can buy traditional crafts.
There's a lot to choose from, including silver jewellery, bags, and velvet purses, as well as handloom clothes, antiques, and traditional Bhopali art. However, it’s best known for quirky and hand-made footwear.
Bittan Market
If you haven't fully explored the shopping areas in Bhopal, this is the place to be. Bhopal's Bittan Market has a list of items to purchase. This bustling business sector offers in-style accessories, bags, footwear, and apparel at an affordable rate. Also, enjoy the wide range of silks displayed during exhibitions. It is famously known for chikankari embroidery.
Mrignayani Emporium
To bring home some beautiful handicrafts from Bhopal, you must visit Mrignayani Emporium. The market provides sarees from pastels to gold-toned patterns to rich fabric borders that will leave you amazed. It’s popularly known for silk sarees made up of Chanderi, Mulberry, Kota, Tussar and Crepe Silk that will fulfil your desire for ethnic clothing. The dress materials for sale are alluring and come in a wide range of patterns and coloured tones.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on silver ornaments that will pair beautifully with your outfit!
New Market
There's no denying that the Newmarket is one of the finest shopping places in Bhopal. It has a variety of showrooms, food stalls, pastry shops and bookstores suitable for all your needs. So if you're having a bad day, walk over to the market road for a quick pick-me-up.
Pro tip: If you're a fan of Mughlai cuisine, Hakeem is a great pick. Here are four tikkas that you should try while visiting Bhopal.
Bhopal has something for everybody. It treats its tourists with a warm hug and pampers them with various shopping choices. Inferable from the city's rich history, the food shows the loftiness of Mughal and the vivacity of Malwa.
Assuming you need your next outing to be dynamic, affordable and satisfying the foodie in you, visiting Bhopal should be on your list.
For a memorable stay at a monumental location, check out Kwality Motel Shiraz. Return with a tonne of memories along with your shopping bags.