It has fascinated me forever, Chor Bazaar, near South Bombay’s crowded Bhendi Bazaar. Literally translating to ‘thieves’ market’, this is one of the most interesting places in Bombay. This flea market is essentially stocked up  with antique and vintage second-hand goods. These are either purchased as home decor or are hired by producers for shoots.

The locale looks like it has been a part of an old Hindi film itself. The crumbling buildings with intricate work are now layered with dust. The lanes here are organised accordingly to all the products (and services) they offer. You will get all you want here, from spare tyres to mosiac lamps to unique Bollywood posters. Be prepared to spend a lot of quality time sifting through the numerous things and develop an appetite for a good bargain. The camera shop took a lot of my time, where I romanticised camera bellows, the TLR and the good ol’ SLR from Yashica.

And even though there is plenty to buy here, I walked around these lanes pleasing my camera.

Good to know:

– Chor Bazaar is on Mutton Street, Byculla. The nearest station is Grant Road.
– The area is quite conservative and it always helps to dress appropriately.
– Be careful of your things while walking around.

Have you been to this captivating flea market yet?

Amrita Das

I have been a travel and culture independent journalist. My bylines have appeared in many publications worldwide including National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet Magazine India, The Indian Express and World Travel Magazine. A fellow of Media Ambassadors India-Germany 2019 program by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Centre for Media Competence, University of Tübingen. Currently, I am the photo editor for RoundGlass Sustain, a wildlife and conservation e-publication. I live in India.

More Posts - Website

Follow: