A
visit to the Chowk (Bazaar), in the heart of the Old City, can be a wonderful
way to gain insight into the daily lives of Bhopal's warm, friendly citizens. This
is a fascinating area for a photographer or a life documentation to spend
endless hours – the very heart of Bhopal. Bursting with old mosques and
residences (Havelis) that hark back to olden times, teeming with shops that are
a collector’s heaven, the Chowk is mesmeric in its offerings.
Its
ramshackle streets are lined with old havelis and atmospheric stalls; it's
impossible not to get involved in the village vibe, where shopping, hard-core
haggling, and gossiping occupy one's time. Shop around for embroidered velvet
cushions, tussar silk, silver jewelry. You will be overwhelmed by the traditional
Bhopali art and craft worked purses of velvet and the like! Not a place to miss
at any cost – it is soul itself. It’s a must to visit this old city market and
walk around the narrow lanes to see how the old city functions and also to get
some great bargains on the special arts of Bhopal like the intricate bead work
and the hand embroidery that Bhopal is known for.