8 famous bazaars in Visakhapatnam that every shopaholic must visit

If a country lives in its villages, then a city lives in its bazaars. The masses that make up the major part of the place, the local slang that gives it a distinctive colour and shade, the array of normal and unusual products it consumes; the local bazaars are often a window to the city’s soul. So, if you desire to experience the sights, sounds, smells, hear the slang and dip into a heady mix of city culture, then the local markets are your best bet. Here are 8 famous bazaars in Visakhapatnam.

#1 I Town

First Impressions

Narrow lanes and heavy traffic are what you first notice when you visit One Town. The crowd here is justified though because everything under the sun is sold here, only a lot cheaper. Second hand books to buckets, cell phones to clothes, puja items to pretty flowers, imitation to real jewellery, the haphazard by-lanes of this crowded marketplace have it all.

Interesting Byte

The Pacchipulusuvari shop that sells an array of Ayurvedic ingredients and chemicals used for making fireworks is nostalgic for all those who’ve lived in Visakhapatnam for many years.

The Best Deals

Spend a little time walking along the lanes and comparing rates, you get great deals on almost everything. Check out the bamboo blinds in the weaver’s lane.

Important Tip

If you’re visiting the area, do make a trip to the famous Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi temple. Thursdays are when the rush is at its peak. Avoid visiting during the afternoon and on Sundays as most of the little shops will be closed.

Poorna Market

The market has everything from groceries to fresh vegetables and fruits, meats, puja items, wholesale plastic shops, cane mats and traditional knives and cooking implements made of stone. And that’s not all! Many boutiques shop for buttons, threads and fancy laces in these crooked, narrow lanes. A little weaver’s lane where one can find cane and bamboo weavers busy at work is also part of this market’s topography.

Kurupam Market

Goldsmiths are commonly found in the vicinity of Kurupam market, located by the Hindu Reading Room. It is the ideal destination for those seeking gold jewellery makers, herbs and chemicals for fireworks. However, the price one pays is the traffic and lack of proper parking spaces. But if you love exploring unusual territories, you’ll surely find a way.

#2 Nehru Bazaar

First impressions

This bazaar is abuzz with activity at all hours of the day. Though the walls are in need of paint, it accomodates many vegetable and meat vendors, a couple of grocery stores, flour mills and oil and spice vendors. Established in March 1972, most of the shops at Nehru Bazaar were given to refugees from Burma at no cost. However, with time, locals set up shop too and today over 65 cement shutter shops and approximately 40 tin roofed stalls can be found in this market.

Interesting Byte

The story of this bazaar is incomplete without the mention of Masetty & Sons, a second hand furniture shop started by Masetty Narsaiah 25 years ago. His sons have taken over the reins of the business and now operate from 3-5 shops at Nehru Bazaar.

The Best Deals

Masetty & Sons have great pieces of furniture, best part being they don’t hike up rates on antique furniture as much as others.

Important Tips

To experience the market at its prime, go early on a Sunday. You can see sellers of not just fresh vegetables, fish and meat but also of spices, plastic items and jewellery.

Foodies Pick

Evenings bring in vendors of tea, pakodis, samosa and even noodles. Dare to experiment only if you have a strong stomach.

#3 Kummari veedhi

First Impressions

Down the overcrowded Dondaparthy road, a little lane off the main road transports you to another world altogether. The Kummari Veedhi (potter’s lane) is a market that is narrow but appealing. This is where earthenware like flower pots and diyas are crafted. While the market has been operational for a century, it is not as busy as it once was. With the use of earthenware declining, the artisans here now cater whatever job that comes their way. August is when Ganapati idols are made but the market gets busy during the wedding season and Deepavali. Preparations for the festival begin months in advance because this is where a lot of buyers come to purchase traditional earthen diyas.

Interesting Byte

Some of the goods made here are sold at Jagadamba’s Kummari Veedhi too. The lane situated right across Hotel Daspalla is easy to miss.

The Best Deals

Diyas and eco-friendly bamboo baskets are best bought here not just because of the low rates but also because it will be in support of a dying art.

Important Tip

Opt for unpainted earthenware.

#4 New colony market

First Impressions

Situated in the Masjid Lane in Railway New Colony is a tiny bit of heaven. The shops dotting either side of the road sell wholesale items, clothes, vegetables, burkhas and other Islamic paraphernalia. But what the market best has to offer is attar, a natural perfume devoid of alcohol or chemicals. They are a good alternative to regular perfumes.

Interesting Byte

New Colony Market is also renowned for its special vermicelli (ask for seviyan) used in the preparation of kheer. You also get surma here, an organic powdered kohl used to outline eyes.

Important Tip

Attar can be bought even from the man selling clothes by the road here but the best quality ones are available at the Shirin and Shafiyah Book Depot. These sell many other items besides Islamic books and prayer mats.

Foodies Pick

Small shops selling biriyani are quite popular and can be tried out.

#5 Rama talkies

First Impressions

Flowers of varied colours are a sight to see, the aroma offering a pleasant break from the pollution, dust and heavy traffic on the road close to Rama Talkies. Besides flowers, vendors can be seen selling vegetables, coconuts and puja items as well. Small grocery stores along the road are a must visit too as most of them often reduce a little on the MRP, giving you a good deal. And that’s not all, explore the lanes and you will find wedding card printers, one-machine tailors, stationary shops, bicycle sellers and much more.

Interesting Byte

Getting to the market can be an interesting experience in itself. When you ask “Where is Rama Talkies?” you’re often met with a confused look. However when asked in the local slang (taakies), it elicits a jubilant nod.

The Best Deals

If you can’t go as far as Anandapuram, then this is the right place to buy flowers and puja items during the festive season.

Important Tip

Explore the little by-lanes and you see many interesting shops selling everything from mattresses to marriage invites.

Foodies Pick

Though it’s not famous for its food, the roasted peanuts and boiled corn sold off carts are handy to munch upon.

#6 Old book market

First Impressions

A bibliophile’s delight, this market is in actuality a sea of books in neat rows and piles. The market has over 31 shops that sell everything from academic to fiction and non-fiction. Located along the road from Vizag Central to Police Barracks in Visakhapatnam, this is the ideal place to go hunting for a book that you’d probably not find elsewhere. A popular haunt for book-lovers for almost thirty years this stretch is a haven for college students searching for the obsolete reference book.

Interesting Byte

In the midst of the book stalls, don’t be surprised to spot a shoe and art store or two.

The Best Deals

Second hand books are best bought here. Not only are they in good condition when purchased, you also get up-to 40% off on the MRP of the book. Old books can also be sold here for a good price.

Important Tips

The shops let you rent books at a low price; you can get Rs.500 book for Rs.50 per week only.

Foodies Pick

Visit the Gautam Sweet Stall in the lane next to Vizag Central, opposite Jala Udyanavam at around 5 PM and you can buy fresh, piping hot jalebi and samosa.

#7 MVP Rythu Bazaar

First Impressions

Operational from as early as 6AM and running till 9PM, the Rythu Bazaar at MVP Colony in Visakhapatnam is not just the largest but perhaps the busiest too. With vegetables being sold at wholesale prices, it is a delight to pick from the freshest. Established in 2000, the MVP Rythu Bazaar has over 80 shops inside and many small vendors around it.

Interesting Byte

Country chicken eggs are an extremely popular item to purchase here. A little nursery tucked in a corner of the bazaar has a good collection of plants too.

Important Tip

Stalls at the extreme end, though not easily visible, often have fresher vegetables.

The Best Deals

The small grocery stores offer good quality rice and pulses at reasonable prices. Do check out the edible mushrooms!

Foodies Pick

The range of fresh fruits is definitely the rage here.

#8 Fish Market

First Impressions

As the earliest rays of the sun hit the harbour, a market rises from the sleeping. Fishermen who have been out the night before, or often more than two in a row, are back with their catch. Before they even begin to unload, customers wait in anticipation. Hoteliers, sea food lovers, people from varied backgrounds, all come to buy the freshest catch from the Bay of Bengal. Varieties of sea food unloaded include prawns, sharks, lobsters, squid, crab and mackerel. Bargains are stuck and before its even 7AM, the activity at the market starts to wane. A heady mix of sweat and sea smells hits your nostrils as soon as you enter. Open through the week, the market is busiest in the morning.

Interesting Byte

Just like the early bird, the early shopper gets the best pick. Be there as early as 5 AM.

The Best Deals

The rates vary as per demand but you get the best and widest array of seafood here.

Important Tips

Bargaining is the way to go in this market so polish up your negotiation skills before heading there.