Mumbai Mania

Chor Bazaar, literally meaning thieves market, is a place where people craving for bargains and discounts flock in large number.

It has a notorious reputation because all the stuff sold here comes without any guarantee or warranty, as most of them are second-hand goods. It is a basically an "organized" flea market, where one has to rummage through dirt to find treasures.

Located on Mutton Street in Grant Road, downtown Mumbai, Chor Bazaar is like a sprawling maze of alleys, which is buzzing with life, chaos, people and crazy discounts. What's available here?

Almost everything, be it antiques (more popular here), lamps, Art Deco clocks, coffee tables, grandfather clocks, gramophones, old maps, paintings, or shoes, watches, bags, clothes and everything else under the sun, even bizarre items like brass milk can. The place got its name also in a bizarre way.

When Queen Victoria visited Bombay, a violin went missing from her luggage. It was found later at one of the stalls in Mutton Street which is today known as Chor Bazaar. The shops here have been owned by nearly five generations of families.

One of the resident of Chor Bazaar said, "Chor Bazaar earlier used to be a place where thieves used to come and sell their wares. Now the goods sold here are those which people have discarded from their homes and have found their way here on to the streets."

Haggling is compulsory or else you will be fleeced, as many items here are reproductions of the original. So if you can identify genuine products, then you are safe. Chor Bazaar is open between 11:00 am to 7 pm from Saturday to Thursday.
So shopping at Chor Bazaar is not easy as there is so much stuff, you might have to spend good time to find what you like. Be rest assured its a crowded It sure is an interesting place, alas, I haven't been there yet!

How to reach Chor Bazaar:

Get off at Grant Road station (East) and from there its about 25 minutes away. Its between S V Patel and Maulana Shaukat Ali Road