The Bazaar, that dates back to 1857, still maintains its old-market appeal. A maze of alleys, narrow streets, and tiny shops are unique to this market. No other market in Gurgaon can match Sadar Bazaar for the range and volume of products. There is a bit of everything – from fabric, silver and gold jewellery, to books, furniture, home appliances, and mobile phones.
The best way to explore the market is to walk through the winding lanes; but for those with leaden feet, a rickshaw ride that stops along the way is a good option.
Start from Phwara Chowk and wend your way to the other end of the market, near the bus terminal – just a few kilometres.
Book Lover’s Paradise
You will find one of the oldest book shops – Bansal Book Depot. A small, dusty space, packed floor to ceiling with used books, this shop is a no-frills, book-lover’s paradise. Be it the latest best-seller, or an out-of-print book, this shop is a hot destination. Besides the throwaway price, the availability of a wide variety, and out-of-print, difficult-to-find books draws buyers here. Also, it is one of the few book shops in Gurgaon where second-hand student books are easily available.
Gadgets and Gizmos
Further down is the favourite one-stop-mart for those seeking used and new mobile phones, at less than the market prices. Nokia, Samsung, LG, Blackberry, Apple – you name it, it is here. “This is the only place in Gurgaon where one can get a wide variety of second hand gadgets and gizmos,” says Manish, who runs a mobile shop in the market.
Eating out
With the road now getting congested, and the sudden decrease in cubic space per person, you can take refuge in one of the many sweet shops – Revari Sweets. This sweet shop is more than half a century old, and is well-known for authentic Revari sweets. Gajar Ka Halwa and Barfi are two sweet delicacies this shop is famous for. They are a little heavy on the pocket though.
Cheap Chinaware
Move on to the cheap chinaware market, which is a hot favourite with the youngsters. You can get a winter jacket for Rs. 300 to Rs. 600, and shoes for Rs. 200 to Rs. 800. While most shoes are Chinese, the garments are mainly from Bangkok. “I bought a pair of shoes for Rs. 500, and it beats any brand in terms of styling, finish, and quality of material,” says Shikha Saini, a first-year student of Delhi University.
Also, imitation designer wear can be bought for one-fourth of the (designer) price here. But remember, while the prices are a steal in Sadar Bazar, you need to have good negotiation skills to get the best deal.
Sarees and Jewellery
A small walk further is the famous Deepmala Sarees. However, apart from sarees, the shop now also sells unstitched suit pieces for women, suit fabric for men, and kids wear. “I always go to Deepmala because they sell designer pieces, and the quality of fabric is very good,” says Priyanka Gupta, whose family has been buying sarees from here for the past 60 years. From basic cotton sarees that cost a few hundred rupees, to silk and embroidered sarees that cost upto Rs. 80,000, Deepmala offers a wide variety. Many prominent jewellery stores are also found here.
Abhusan Mandir is one of them. It is famous for its gold jewellery. We found some elegant chunky neckpieces, beautiful bracelets, and delicate danglers here.
Savour the best of street food
After the sweet is the savoury – the famous Baleji Sweets, that is famous for its spicy Chole Bhature. We ordered a plate, that cost just Rs. 35. Soft and fluffy Bhature are served with piping hot chick peas and special Mirch Achaar. “Baleji Sweets is a must-visit eating joint in Sadar Bazar. I love the Mirch Achar that is served with the Chole Bhature. Mirch is stuffed with spices, and then deep fried in oil. It is something you won’t find anywhere else in Gurgaon,” says Mansi.
Sadar Bazar, that has a glorious past, is also one of the most happening markets in Gurgaon. With a wide range of options, and the indomitable spirit of Indian entrepreneurship, Sadar Bazar is a perfect old-world shopping and fun experience.