RETAIL THERAPY
The modern malls of Kolkata are no match for the busy traditional markets that are a shopper’s delight.
The 1.5 kilometre-long
College Street is a bibliophile’s sweetest dream come true, with numerous lanes dotted with bookstores. The street also has the world’s largest second-hand book market. You can find rare books here at throwaway prices—from paperbacks in Indian languages, obscure prints of books from Europe and Russia, to even first editions of unpublished works!
Born as a shopping arcade in 1874 to cater to the needs of the British, the VictorianGothic New Market still enjoys patronage from Kolkatans. The gigantic market has 27 entrances and houses over 4,000 stalls selling everything from clothes, footwear, cosmetics, toiletries, toys, to dry fruits, at fabulous prices. 37 Gariahat in South Kolkata is loaded with such diverse objects as well, while famous saree stores here, such as Adi Dhakeshwari Bastralaya, Sriniketan, Kanishka and others, offer Bengal cotton weaves. Burrabazar is a wholesale market— with stalls for textiles, spices, electronics, and religious paraphernalia. Overlooking the Howrah Bridge, the Howrah Phool Bazaar is a wholesale flower market with gorgeous selections of roses, lillies, gladiolas, orchids, and more.
Boutique Offerings
Near The Oberoi Grand Hotel is the renowned 38 Chowringhee Road, offering a huge collection of terracotta artefacts— a speciality of Bengal. For a classy ethnic look, 39 Byloom offers an eclectic selection of blouses, kurtas, stoles, bags, and funky jewellery. One of the first fair trade shops in India, 40 Sasha has a delightful range of bags, cushion covers, papier mache items, scarves, and jewellery.