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Bangle Shopping In Lad Bazaar
The street leading from
Charminar
to the square on the west called the 'Chowk' is known as Lad Bazaar. One
of the oldest shopping centres in the city, the Lad Bazaar is an amazing
mix of the ancient and the modern - an embodiment of Hyderabad. Indeed,
there is no better place in the city for the lady to indulge herself.
Lad
Bazaar is said to have been founded by Ladli Begum, the wife of Mir
Mehboob Khan, the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. Yet, another version has it
that it was called Lord's Bazaar or the bazaar meant for nobility. Lad
Bazaar is a later day evolution of the same name.
The Bridal Treasures at Hyderabad
Known as the 'Bridal Bazaar of Hyderabad', Lad Bazaar is truly a treasure
trove of charming articles of beauty and utility that has a lot to offer
to every visitor. It's shops offer a mixed bag of henna, bridal wear and
cosmetics. But the real draw is the exquisite range of stone studded lac
and glass bangles, the pride and joy of the women of Hyderabad.
Buy glass bangles in the traditional jewel-like colours of red, blue and
green, or in the more modern hues of orange, pink and mauve. One can also
get glass bangles spangled with gold, or Hyderabad's specialty the shellac
bangles crusted with semi-precious stones and tiny bits of mirror or gems.
These bangles studded with stones and glass glitter in the daylight and
allure many women into purchasing them. The entire street jostles with
carts of colourful lac bangles.
Festive Season Galore at Hyderabad
During the Ramzan season, the bazaar is at its festive best at night with
the area surrounding Charminar well lit and full of bustle. People are out
shopping during late hours of the evening and it continues very late in
the night, especially during the last days of Ramzan. The shopping goes on
amidst traffic congestion and wafting fragrance of perfumes ('Athar'),
fine aroma of hot-spiced kababs and spicy tea and the flutter of the
feathered friends in the bird market behind. A walk through this bazaar is
an exhilarating experience with its rich riot of colours.
Bargain to get your favourite varieties at even half the originally quoted
price. The Mehboob Chowk, a torpid looking quadrangle with an imposing
tower in the middle marks the end of Lad Bazaar.
The Pearl Specialty
Hyderabad is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and
silver jewellery of exquisite design are a specialty. A cultured pearl
strand is must-have in every woman's jewellery wardrobe and can be worn
with everything from a business suit to a cocktail dress to jeans.
Shopping for pearls in Hyderabad can be easy and even enjoyable. Areas
like Abids and Basheerbagh are flooded with pearl shops.
Prime Shoppers Stops of Hyderabad
One can also shop gold-coated articles, cosmetics, and crockery. Black
metal ware and wood crafted articles, which are sold in Lad Bazaar, are
designed and made here. The highly praised heavily sequined skirts, bags
and belts set with sparkling mirrors and tiny beads of 'Banjara' gypsies
is yet, another attraction here.
Charkaman and Mitti-Ka-Sher are the surrounding areas of famous for
antique jewellery in 'Kundan' and enamel, old 'Bidri', beautiful
tapestries, silver, crystal and pearls. Darushafa is well known for the
tissue thin silver leafy sheets that are used to decorate Indian sweets
and Bidriware.
One
can find dye merchants, lacquer workers, silver smiths, all actively
engaged in practicing their craft. The street echoes with the calls of
pavement vendors selling bangles, hair-clips, dates, sweet meats, shoes,
festive clothes, etc. It is amusing to watch young, good looking
'burkha'-clad women coyly look away as the bangle sellers slip bangles on
to their delicate wrists.
Of course, if one talks about buying pearls, Charminar is the best place.
There is an entire street which only comprises of pearl shops named -
Patther Gatti. Lad Bazaar also has good number of pearl shops, known for
their vividness and exquisite quality. Suraj Bhan Jewellers, Basheerbagh;
Jagadamba Pearls (Basheerbagh and Secunderabad); Mangatrai Pearls,
Basheerbagh; are some of the shops which have exclusive sections for
pearls. Secunderabad too has its share of pearl shops.
Natural and cultured pearls can be bought in a variety of sizes and
qualities at fairly reasonable prices. The price for natural pearls ranges
from Rs 20 per gram to Rs 80 depending on the quality. A good string can
cost from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 and more. Pink and grey natural pearls and
cultured pearls are a little more expensive. Besides, if one has the
uncanny knack of bargaining, Hyderabad is the best bet.