8 Best Traditional Markets in India
A unique part of any travel is “Shopping”. Well, shopping may not necessarily imply buying fashionable attire or luxurious products. Several tourist spots are prominent in their hereditary and traditional customs, along with rich historical heritage. It's always a pleasure and a part of experiential travelling to collect souvenirs, gift items, local handmade products, and traditional jewellery, dresses etc. They are a miniature replica of the tours you undertake and help to retain your travel memories a long time. In the article, I will specify some of the key traditional and unique markets in India, a shopping guide for travel enthusiasts and shopping lovers.
New Market, kolkata
Kolkata, my hometown and located in eastern part of India, is a bustling city booming with life and energy. Shopping is the USP of the City of Joy, comprising of age-old markets from the British era to the modern day markets. New Market is one of the happening and prominent markets in India, located in this wondrous city.
The giant shopping complex has been existing since the year 1874, gifting the people of Kolkata with a plethora of shops selling a wide variety of products. Travellers from different parts of India and international travellers must definitely hop into the market to purchase authentic and traditional items. Food stalls, garment shops, jewellery, bags, etc you can name any, the market will not disappoint you.

Ima Keithel, Imphal
Ever witnessed a market entirely managed and run by a group of women traders? Ima Keithel market in Imphal is one of them, one of the oldest and largest markets in India. The famous All Women's market started in the 16th century, and slowly converted into a massive business and trade hub. Thousands of women folk of Manipur sell a wide variety of items starting from fresh fruits, vegetables, grocery items, dresses, ornaments, handicraft items and many more.
The trade is now being passed on form generations, carried on by married women. They even have introduced a business loan facility for the women traders for smooth functioning of the trades. The entire market is well organized and maintained by the union, flourishing more and more each year.

Floating Vegetable Market, Srinagar
Kashmir, a heaven on Earth, is the pride of India. Its lakes, gardens and mountains create a stunning and enthralling environment, much to the awe of the tourists. Within this grandeur beauty, you will be mesmerized to visit the vegetable floating market in Srinagar, its capital city.
It is one of the colourful and unique markets in India. The market is a photographers delight, capturing the traders rowing their boats over the lakes and the wetlands. The boats filled with various type of vegetables present a eye-catching view to the shoppers.

Arpora Saturday Night Market, Goa
Goa is a travelers paradise, enticing tourists all over the year into its breathtaking beaches and panoramic landscape. North Goa hosts Arpora Saturday Night Market, one of the most lively markets in India. It is a perfect place to spend a day full of fun, frolic, and entertainment.
The shops are run by both the Indians and the Europeans. Multi-cuisine food stalls, street shops, and restaurants are its key attractions. Other shops are also in abundance selling dresses, home decor items, bags, jewelry, etc.

Police Bazaar, Shillong
The spectacular capital city of Meghalaya, Shillong, is a popular tourist destination in India. Waterfalls, majestic mountain ranges, and gorgeous valleys are its treasure trove. The other bright side of the city is its huge shopping arcade at Police Bazaar. It is one of the most popular markets in India.
From traditional stalls to modern-day shops, you can find them all in this market. The entire area is in the form of a circle, the locals term it as the chowk. Plants and trees adorn the marketplace, enticing the tourists to fulfill their shopping desire. Fresh grocery products, spices, dry fruits, winter clothes are some of the specialty products of the market.
Janpath, Delhi
Delhi, the capital city of India, has a grandness of its own. Its shopping areas and marketplaces are popular around the world. Janpath is one of its renowned shopping complexes, located at Connaught Place in Delhi. A market is an ideal place for tourists to buy souvenirs and gift items to carry back home.
Junk jewelry, colorful dresses, funky attires are key attractions for the young generations in the Janpath market. The shoppers crowd the food stalls and beverage shops after completing their purchase spree.

Johari Bazaar, Jaipur
Royal grandeur and charm, historical valor, and architectural beauty are the treasures of Rajasthan tourism. Its capital city, Jaipur, upholds the pride with its magnificent palaces, monuments, and curated gardens. Venturing around the city for shopping is a delightful experience. Johari Bazaar is a must-visit in the city. It is one of the best markets in India, specializing in jewelry created from precious and semi-precious stones.
If you love traditional outfits and want to try them out, then you must definitely visit Johari Bazaar. Clothes made out of the famous tie and dye fabric of Rajasthan are available here, mostly at fixed rates.

Begum Bazaar, Hyderabad
Begum Bazaar in Hyderabad is one of the largest commercial markets in India. The market mainly comprises wholesalers and retailers selling household products. It remains crowded almost all days of the week and is very popular in the city.
Grocery items, precious stones, bags, home decor and furnishings, utensils, dry fruits, are some of the items available in the market. The Marwadi community runs and maintains the market. It is said that the traders are basically migrants who were provided shelter by the Nizam of Hyderabad. You can find big sweet shops, electric equipment manufacturers, plastic bags manufacturers in the market.

There are a huge number of markets in India to name. I have pointed out a few of my favorites to provide a glimpse of their unique feature.

Author
Kuntala
A travel enthusiast craving to explore the exotic destinations in the world, deciphering the mysteries and the thrill concealed in them.
missing the travel shopping badly
I love visiting markets. They offer great foods, and interesting finds…. and meeting people there is definitely one unique experience. Thanks for this lovely guide. India is on my bucket list to visit one day.
Ya me too, glad you liked the article
Looks cool. I loved the markets in New Dehli. They smell divine from all the spices.
Yup its indeed a nice place
wow! Very cool, I would love to visit these places one day. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for liking the article
Oooh so much fun, I really miss shopping right now!
Me too terribly missing
I love exploring local markets whenever we travel. Great way to explore the region via the food that’s grown there.
very true and I agree with you
Here in Kerala is different with Srinagar. You will not find a woman selling in Traditional Market.
Different states of India have different aspects and that what makes our country unique, isn’t it?
This looks so amazing and cultural. I can’t wait for the day I visit India in the future. There’s so much to experience.
Jojo –
Please do visit, you will definitely like it.
I love visiting the open markets when I go travelling. There is always something unique that I have not seen before. I love the night markets for food. The floating markets are amazing.
So much agree with you.
Oh wow those are such colorful and amazing markets in India…I have visited some of them
Yeah India has some beautiful and traditional markets in store. Thank you
I am adding all of these to my bucket list!
Thank you
Hi! Great post! I definitly dream visit to Srinagar and also Janpath, Delhi, i think you could find a lot of beutiful clothes there and colorful enviorment! Thanks to share!!
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Such an informative blog. Local markets aren’t just shopping place but they hold great culture and history.
You would have added Chandani Chowk in place of Janpath. CP, Janpath aren’t traditional. It’s Chandani Chowk if we talk about traditional market in Delhi.
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