The island of Mumbai is one big 'bazar'. Whether the goods are manufactured here or imported (from other parts of the country or abroad), the variety available speaks volumes for the people who patronise these outlets. The harbour areas of Mumbai which were developed first by the British in South Mumbai, have the oldest markets around. Colaba, where the British lived and Bought, still bears names of the old shops on some of the buildings. The Gujaratis and Jains who lived in Bhuleshwar created an ethnic market to suit their needs, while the predominantly Muslim areas located in the Mohamedali Road areas Portray a distinctly Islamic flavour.

Colaba Causeway:-

The long road that once housed the aristocracy, is one of trhe most fascination shopping areas today. Offerinmg garments, fabrics and linen, the street glitters with neons and sequined garments. However, footwear seem to be the area of specialisation here. Metro, Dexter, Karigar and Citywalk among others not only have shoes and sandals but also handbags and other leather accessories to match. The garment shops are stacked with kaftans, dresses and other readymades. In the lanes around the causeway are several shops selling curios undefthe guise of antiques. The Fort area markets that surround the Hutatma Chowk offer cameras, watches and stationery. Some of the notable shops in this area are Akbaralis, Bombay Swadeshi, Khadi-Bhandar etc. The Kashmir Emporium on Sir P M Road is well stocked as are some of the book-shops (Strand, Bookpoint and Thackers).

Running parallel to the area is Fashion Street, opposite Mumbai Gymkhana. This new bazar has been, with its export surplus and reject garments, the focus of both media and popular attention.

Into the lanes of Mohamedali Road, past the colourful fruit and vegetable laden stalls of Crawford Market, are available a variety of merchandise. Fabric markets for the city are centered around this area. Mangaldas Market is the fabric wholesale market for both synthetics and cottons, whilst the Cotton Exchange offers mainly pure cotton. For those who are looking for imported cloth, there are the Mohtaa and Mulji Jetha markets flowing with yards of material. Mohamedali Road has an assortment of wares for shoppers ranging from furniture to traditional floor coverings such as coir and tatami (chatai). There are some interesting perennial shops for fireworks and kites.

A couple of twisty lanes away is one of the wealthiest bazars: Jhaveri Bazar or the Jewellers Market. All the big jewellery stores have their main branches in Jhaveri Bazar where some of the most equisite diamond and gold jewellery is available. Around the corner is Pydhonie, the silver market. In the predominantly Jain Gujarati Bhuleshwar area are shops overflowing with ethnic utensils of copper and brass, foods and clothing. Nobody can visit Mumbai and skip out Chor-Bazarwhich is a second hand market. It is a go09 place to pick up antique replicas and hunt for other exotica. Furniture, old chandeliers, gramaphones, brass curios abound in these shops. Prarthan Samaj is an excellent place to see the fruit and vegetable colours, whilst the Lamington Road area has an assortment of footwear shops. Gandhi Bazar in the Dadar area is a place for bargain fabric shopping. Material cut to the right sizes or 'cut pieces' are readily available here.

Leaving the South Mumbai area, and heading north to the suburbs into the Bandra and Juhu areas is the Linking Road shopping belt. Linking Road is suburban Mumbai's answer to Colaba Causeway, Hutatma Chowk and Fashion Street rolled into one. The road is so popular that most large shops located in South Mumbai have branches on this road. Lords (a shoe store) Satgurus (painting and posters) are among those that are represented here. Besides, there are some well-stocked shops for sarees. Tapasya a boutique, Dhanak, and for leather accessories Hide-n-Check. The best part of the road are the shops on the pavements. This is an excellent place to pick rexine bags at very low prices. Another one of the best arcades is located at The Oberoi Towers at Nariman Point. This interesting mall is divided into two. The old hotel has boutiques like Nalini (great for sarees and salwar kameezes) and Darpan (its mirrors all the way). There is a furnishing fabric store, Fantasia, with some fabulous material to liven up your home. There is an attar shop offering the heady Indian fragrances. The Oberoi has some exclusive outlets - Ritu's boutique for garments, Ambience fOr artefacts, Khazir & Co, for carpets vie with one another to catch the shopper's eye. The Taj Mahal Hotel too has some nice boutiques.