Shopping in Hyderabad is a lifetime experience. While strolling in the bazaars of Hyderabad I felt as If I was moving through the dramatic lanes of some magic bazaars. The bazaars which have the mix of ancient, medieval and modern character, have endless items to offer. There are different merchants selling various items. The city offers everything from antiques to Handicrafts to Jewellery and from dresses to leather goods to Pearls and semi-precious stones.

Hyderabad has been a major shopping center of India for centuries right from the Mogul kings to the British rule. Commerce in Hyderabad starts at around 11am. We( me and my friends) visited almost all major areas for shopping in Hyderabad last year, when we were there in the city for almost 10 days. At some places we shopped and at other places we didn't . Though we found all the items eye-catching and wished to purchase, our budget and the hassle of carrying too much came in our way.

We visited Charminar- one of the oldest commercial area of the city. It is a traditional place for silversmiths, Pearl sellers, and Bangle sellers. Girls had a nice time there bargaining for their choicest bangles. There are also some merchants who sell Gun-Metal articles in this area.

Zardosi- Embroidery Work:
A Speciality of Hyderabad is zardozi (Silk thread and cord) embroidery work. We found an amazing collection of embroidered sarees, Lacchas(Long tops paired with long skirts and dupatta), ghagra and cholis (skirt and blouse), salwar kameez and even sandals with embroidery work. These are particularly exquisite when purchased at Charminar. Prices depend mainly on the amount and quality of work put in.

We also visited Koti--Sultan Bazaar and Narayanguda-Chikkadpally. Koti- Sultan Bazaar is a very busy market where one can get anything under the sun while Narayanguda-Chikkadpally is filled with numerous theatres.

Monda Market
Near the R.P Road is this biggest vegetable market of the twin cities. The market deals with both whole sale and retail selling of the vegetables.

Bazaars in Hyderabad are filled with shops selling :
Kalamkari and Himroo fabrics, Hyderabadi Lacquered Bangles, Blouses and skirts embroidered with mirrors and very small and flat metallic disks ka Lambadi Mirror-work, semi-precious stone and Jewellery including the ever famous Pearls.

Handicrafts
One can purchase Kondapalli toys bidri metal craft (silver inlaid on metal-copper and zinc), gun metal craft, stone carvings, wood carvings, brassware, Pembarthi sheet metal art, Nirmal art, Kalamkari art, Banjara embroidery, khadicrafts and dhurries , at the places listed below.

• Cheneta Bhavan, Handloom House, Nampally
• Cottage Industries Emporium, Minerva Complex, Secunderabad
• Bidri Work at Abids
• Brassware, guncraft at Basheerbagh
• Arts and crafts from all over India at Shilparamam

Sarees:
Hyderabad has sarees to please every woman, in the world. Kat saris are the famous ones. The price of the cotton sarees vary between Rs.120 to 3,000 while silk sarees are priced between Rs.500 to Rs.10,000 and above.

Though ubiquitous, Some of the preferred centres for sarees are MG Road, Patny Circle, General Bazaar, Abids, Nampally, Somajiguda, Charminar, Koti, Sultan Bazar, etc.

Even if I don't have money to buy anything, I will still like to roam in the bazaars of Hyderabad again and again for the sheer thrill and ecstasy these offer. Ahh... A visual treat, I always miss!