Enjoy affordable shopping this festive season, from Delhi to Chennai: here are India’s top 10 markets.
India, where every season is adorned with the vibrant colors of festivals, is truly a land of celebrations. The excitement of shopping during these festivals reaches new heights. If you want to enjoy great shopping at affordable prices, the famous markets in the country’s top 10 cities are ideal for you. These markets offer clothes, jewelry, shoes, household items, and special festival-related goods at budget-friendly prices. Additionally, the experience of wandering through these markets and haggling is unique in itself.
1. Janpath Market, Delhi
Delhi’s Janpath Market is nothing less than a treasure trove for shopping lovers. Here, branded dresses, jewelry, sandals, and bags are available at very low prices. Not only that, items that cost 2000 rupees in malls can be bought here for just 300 to 500 rupees. The fun of bargaining makes shopping here even more special.
2. Kurla, Mumbai
Mumbai’s Kurla Market is the cheapest destination for clothes. Here, clothes are sold by weight. Small traders buy these to make new garments like kurtis, frocks, pants, and shorts. The atmosphere here is always bustling, and new clothes are available at very low prices, making this market a favorite among fashion enthusiasts.
3. Commercial Street, Bangalore
Bangalore’s Commercial Street is known as the city’s fashion street. Here, clothes, imitation jewelry, footwear, and sports items are available at very affordable prices. Shopping in this crowded street requires a lot of walking. If you know how to bargain, shopping here becomes even more fun.
4. New Market, Kolkata
Kolkata’s New Market has been the top choice since 1874. This market, with over 3000 shops, is famous for clothes, shoes, books, crockery, sweets, and antiques. Everything here is available at cheap prices; you just need to know how to negotiate. This is why this place remains special for both locals and tourists.
5. T. Nagar, Chennai
Chennai’s T. Nagar is considered the country’s largest shopping hub. While most shops here sell gold jewelry, you can also find silk sarees, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, crockery, and household items. The special feature of this market is that it has something for every budget. This is why T. Nagar is a perfect destination for every shopping lover.
6. Sultan Bazaar, Hyderabad
Hyderabad’s Sultan Bazaar, formerly known as Residency Bazaar, is the perfect place for women’s shopping. Here, in over 100 shops, the latest designs in clothes, jewelry, and silverware are available at low prices. This market is most famous for shopping during special occasions like weddings and festivals.
7. Lal Darwaja Market, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad’s Lal Darwaja Market is very famous for street shopping. Open from 11 AM to 10 PM, this market offers clothes, footwear, ghagra-choli, sarees, old books, and children’s clothing—all at affordable prices. Additionally, the street food here is a major attraction.
8. Hong Kong Lane, Pune
Located near Garware
Janpath Market
Janpath Market is a vibrant and popular shopping destination in New Delhi, India, known for its affordable handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. It originated during the British colonial era and was originally named “Queen’s Way,” later being renamed “Janpath” (People’s Way) after India’s independence in 1947. Today, it remains a bustling hub for both tourists and locals seeking a diverse and colorful market experience.
Kurla
Kurla is a major suburb of Mumbai, India, historically known as a village that grew into a significant railway and industrial hub during the British colonial era. Today, it is a densely populated and bustling commercial and residential area, reflecting Mumbai’s rapid urban expansion.
Commercial Street
Commercial Street is a historic thoroughfare in London’s East End, originally developed in the mid-19th century to serve the booming textile and garment trade. It became a vibrant and diverse commercial hub, historically associated with the Jewish community and later with the Bangladeshi community, making it the heart of the Brick Lane area. Today, it remains a bustling street famous for its curry houses, independent shops, and street market.
New Market
New Market is a historic market hall in Kolkata, India, constructed in 1874 during the British colonial era. It was originally named Sir Stuart Hogg Market and was a primary shopping destination for the British community. Today, it remains a bustling and iconic landmark, famous for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of goods.
T. Nagar
T. Nagar is a major commercial and residential neighborhood in Chennai, India, originally developed in the 1920s by the Madras Presidency to accommodate a growing population. Historically, it became a thriving hub for the trade of silk sarees and gold jewelry, a reputation it maintains to this day.
Sultan Bazaar
Sultan Bazaar is one of the oldest and busiest traditional markets in Hyderabad, India, dating back to the Qutb Shahi dynasty in the 16th century. It was established during the reign of Sultan Quli Qutb Shah and has since been a vibrant hub for commerce, known for its bustling lanes selling everything from spices and textiles to pearls and jewelry. The bazaar remains a living testament to the city’s historic role as a center for trade and its rich cultural heritage.
Lal Darwaja Market
Lal Darwaja Market is a historic and bustling commercial hub in the old city of Ahmedabad, India. Its name, meaning “Red Gate,” originates from a now-vanished red gateway that once stood nearby. Established centuries ago, it remains one of the city’s oldest and most vibrant markets for textiles, jewelry, and traditional goods.
Hong Kong Lane
Hong Kong Lane is a narrow, historic alleyway in Shanghai’s former French Concession, known for its preserved shikumen (stone-gate) architecture from the 1920s. It reflects the blend of Eastern and Western influences during Shanghai’s concession era, featuring traditional Chinese dwellings with European design elements. Today, it offers a glimpse into old Shanghai life amidst the modern city.