Bajars/Bazars, the traditional markets in India sprawl over large spaces with generally the traders selling same kinds of food stuffs sticking together, though not always. Though the cities house markets in ground floor buildings with stalls spilling over and around the market place, move a little away from the cities and you would find open air markets or at the most little shops created with bamboo and covered with jute and mat. Big cities generally have local markets and also food, clothes, jewellery, utensils, flower etc are sold in separate markets. But in villages generally one market has most of the stuff people need, and if they need something special they have travel to the nearest town to get it.
There are also occasional markets which happen once a week or month, these are called haat.
I love roaming around in the markets. The sighs, the sounds, the smells and the bargains. Ah yes the bargains. Do you know most Indians love a good bargain? The best way to buy stuff is to sit down and have a chat and then get down to the business of bargaining. Of course if it is an incredibly busy market or shop, the trader might not give you much time.
Now a days I have my camera with me, much to the amusement of the traders. I saw a few of them smiling in amusement at my clicking them. I wanted to tell them that with the rapid globalization the markets may one day soon be replaced by shopping complexes.
These photographs are taken in a market in Kolkata called the Lake Market.
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Ripe coconuts, the shells are cracked to extract the flesh which is used abundantly in Bengali cuisine, both savory and sweet. |
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Betel Leaf which is used to make Paans |
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A typical Kolkata snack jhal muri-- puffed rice mixed with spices and coconut, onion, chilies, cucumber etc |
nicely written Suchi! loved the clicks
ReplyDeleteI totally love doing this, just walk through the market, check out the produce, see if there is something new to take back.. super fun and very very satisfying!
ReplyDeleteloved these pictures! thanks for sharing! :-)
ReplyDelete*Susan
FB te pics dekhlaam Suchi, so couldn't stop myself ...every picture,very well captured..especially noton gur pic- my fav...hugs and smiles
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful. The jaggary pots remind me of the movie I think it was called saudagar withe Nutan and Big B. The whole movie revolved around making jaggary.
ReplyDeleteGot homesick :) But thinking of the history of the food sold, probably a lot of the food was originally not Indian.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I love jhal muri!
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing these beautiful pics of a place so far away from my country!
ReplyDeleteHow I miss fresh markets, you must be having a great time!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of kol....thnks for the post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post..miss India :(
ReplyDeletelooking forward to see u all for bloggers buzz :)
Nice post and great clicks:)
ReplyDeleteNever visited this market in Kolkata..........whenever I go there I'm too busy shopping at New Market, AC Market, Metro and Forum :)Nice Clicks.
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