Charminar is one of the most renowned tourist attractions in Hyderabad. Not many know that this monument is also called ‘The Arc de Triomphe of the East’ because of its breathtaking architecture. It stands mighty tall in the middle of the old city centre and there is always a bustling crowd in the place, even during the late hours of the night. Why is that? Because you can find anything and everything you want at Charminar shopping complexes. From delicious food to delightful perfumes and quality textiles to shiny ornaments, you can find everything in the Charminar market!
If you are planning to visit this beautiful place soon, we have a list of things that you can buy while you are at it. Budget shoppers will enjoy the bargaining scene here and will also be mesmerised by the number of options available.
Read on!
Lanes of Charminar
Four pillars of Charminar coincide with the four market lanes. Each lane offers something to shopping enthusiasts who want to grab the best goods from the Charminar shopping markets.
Laad Bazaar
Laad Bazaar is present to the west of Charminar and is often a busy marketplace where sellers bring you bangles of different designs. From simple everyday sets to exquisite wedding collections, you will find several colourful bangles here.
Pathar Gatti
Pathar Gatti is present to the north of Charminar and has several shops that sell high-quality pearls and silver ornaments. These shops give you proper authentication certificates for the goods they sell and there are impressive designs of jewellery that will remind you of the Nawabi days.
Mecca Masjid Lane
To the east side of Charminar, you will find the Mecca Masjid, another renowned religious site in India. It is also one of the largest mosques in Hyderabad and the country. Here, the shops offer several religious artefacts and also attires that people wear during worship. There are restaurants and food stalls that sell everything from kebabs to biryanis.
Shehran Market
Shehran Market is present to the south of Charminar and offers several shops that sell textiles of all kinds. You can find readymade dresses, sarees, dress materials, shawls and even wedding collections. The clothing includes silk, cotton, georgette, velvet and even designer fabric for those willing to pay a few more bucks.
Things to buy during Charminar shopping
1 – Bangles
When people mention Charminar shopping, bangles are the first thing that will come to our mind! While Laad Bazaar is the care of address for eye-catching bangles, you will find bangle sellers sitting with their mini stalls everywhere around Charminar. Laad Bazaar offers bangles made of lacquer, glass, metal and even gold-plated varieties. Most of these bangles have intricate stones and shiny glitter. Some come with pearls and the others have real gems stuck to them. What you want to buy depends on your budget.
You will also find some shops that take orders from buyers and make custom bangles according to personal preferences. These bangles reflect the rich cultural heritage of the royal era and you will be amazed to see that the artisans can make bangles in various colours and shapes!
2 – Pearls
Hyderabad is also called the ‘City of Pearls’. So, when you set out on Charminar shopping, visit Pattar Gatti, a lane that is famous for selling high-quality pearls. Here, you will find freshwater pearls, cultured pearls and even rare natural pearls. You can buy necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings, all of them designed to accommodate pearls. You can also purchase loose pearls from the market to make your own custom jewellery.
Remember to always take the authentication certificate from the seller when they claim that they are selling A-1 or original quality pearls. You will also get warranty and exchange deals on the jewellery you purchase here.
3 – Attar
You will notice that during Charminar shopping, there is a faint hint of lingering fragrance in the air anywhere you go. This is because of the Attar or perfume stalls that you will find in every corner of the place. Mostly, they will be present right in front of the main gate of Charminar. Attars are made from flowers, herbs and even spices and have a long-lasting fragrance. They can be used on clothes or rubbed directly onto the body.
You will find traditional attars that the people of old city use along with imitation of famous perfume brands. You can choose from floral, fruity, woody or even musky scents. The best part is that these Attars are devoid of alcohol that you will find in many of the store-bought perfumes and deos. Also, you get to sample these perfumes before you make a purchase. They are sold based on weight and you won’t regret taking a few bottles home.
4 – Textiles
Shehran Market has several shops that sell everything from dress materials and simple fabrics to designer wear and wedding collections. Here, you will find shops that have been in business for several decades and merchants also sell goods at wholesale prices for those who intend on reselling them.
The market is famous for its traditional Hyderabadi weaves, mainly the ikat and kalamkari designs. Shops here will also offer custom tailoring services that are comparatively cheaper than purchasing the same clothes from a retail shop. You will also find shops selling textiles meant for window screens, mats, dining table covers and even refrigerator covers.
5 – Jewellery and Accessories
If you are searching for jewellery and accessories during your Charminar shopping time, know that pearls are not the only things you will find here. Several shops sell exquisite jewellery, mainly the kundan and polki sets. The modern designs of these jewellery are crafted from gold, silver and even precious stones and gems.
You will find everything from necklaces to toe rings, earrings to maang tikka and even the entire bridal sets for the special day. It is possible to purchase jewellery for everyday use and also luxurious sets meant for specific occasions. Some stalls sell accessories like hair clips, nail paints, satin bands and hair decoration pins among other things.
6 – Spices
Hyderabadi cuisine is so delicious and mouth-watering. It is made with fresh spices that add a distinct aroma and flavour to the dishes. The taste lingers on your tongue long after you are done with your meal. During your Charminar shopping, you will find a good number of shops selling spices of all kinds, both common and exotic.
The shopkeepers usually sell the products in bulk so you must make extra space for them in your shopping bags. We suggest that you take ginger, garlic, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and turmeric (powder and bulbs) from the place. And most importantly, do not forget to purchase the Hyderabadi ‘garam masala’ that adds extra flavour and spice to your dishes.
One of the best ways to reach the spice markets near Charminar is by taking the Hyderabad metro and getting down at the Nampally station. From here, you will find autos that will take you to Charminar through the spice lanes.
7 – Footwear
You can buy high-quality traditional footwear from the Charminar shopping lanes. You will find Juttis for men and women of all age groups, sliders, heels, comfortable everyday shoes and polished leather shoes for formal purposes. The Juttis are often embroidered with colourful threads and some would also have sequin designs and beads stitched into them.
The heels and sandals are also similar in designs with glitter, sequins or beads. These designs are native to Hyderabad. Not just these, you will also find trendy sneakers that are sure to impress modern fashion enthusiasts along with wedges, heels and blocks that you can wear to Western parties and gatherings.
8 – Handbags and Clutches
Charminar shopping markets are a haven for those looking for handbags and clutches. You can find several options, from perfectly embroidered clutches, perfect for weddings and special occasions to stylish handbags that are suitable for daily use. The bags usually have traditional designs with a modern twist.
By this, we mean to say that they are made from cotton, velvet or leather and often have simple designs that incorporate beads, sequins and even pearls in some cases! You will also find imitation bags of famous brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. The wide range of styles, sizes and colours that you find here in these shops ensures that there is something for everyone who visits the stores.
9 – Wedding wear
You can ask any Hyderabadi where they’d prefer to buy wedding wear on a budget and they will point you toward Charminar. Here, you will find several shops that sell wedding collections for the bride, groom and guests attending the special event. It is possible to buy lehengas, ghararas, shararas, anarkalis, chudidhars, pattu and silk sarees, dress materials, wedding sherwanis, blazers and suits. There are shops that also make custom clothing for the bride and groom with the fabric that the couple pick from their shops.
People assume that the clothing in Charminar mostly reflects the Shahi Nawabi style of dressing. While that is true, you will see several modern options that are relevant to today’s world. There are several designs of turbans and duppattas for females. The shopkeepers also have a collection of jewellery in the stores that specifically match the outfits that they sell. You will be surprised to know that it is possible to pick flowy gowns that look no less than the elaborate gowns that people in Western countries wear for events like prom, dances and wedding ceremonies.
10 – Shawls and Scarfs
People going on Charminar shopping usually do not come back without a shawl or a scarf. These are popular items that are known for their impeccable quality and interesting designs. The market offers everything from light, colourful scarves made from cotton and silk to warm, delicately woven pashmina shawls. You can pick the ones that have modern block prints or go with the Kalamkari designs that the Nawabs of the bygone era preferred.
The shawls are designed in such a way that they provide the much-needed warmth when you wear them while staying true to fashion. Be it a salwar suit or a saree, you can style them with any clothing. Also, shawls and scarves are the best souvenirs that you can take back from Hyderabad. They will prove to be the perfect gifts for your loved ones.
11 – Delicious Food
After completing your Charminar shopping, it is only fair that you’ll be very hungry, so much so that you’ll hear your stomach grumbling. In that case, walk to the Mecca Masjid lane to have the best Hyderabadi food. The locals travel all the way to Charminar to taste the mouth-wateringly juicy cuisines that you find here.
You must get your hands on the tandoori chicken and rumali roti, mutton biryani, chicken biryani, paya soup, chilli chicken and chicken 65. Also, visit the famous Milan Juice Centre which is known for its mulberry cream and shahdood. Apart from the non-vegetarian options, you will also find stalls selling vegetarian south-Indian options like dosas, idli-sambar, upma, vegetarian pulao and jeera rice among others. You can also try the Irani chai of the region which is dense with natural cream and brewed with fresh tea leaves. You should definitely try dipping the maska bun in the tea and taking a bite – heavenly!
Travelling to Charminar is fairly easy. But understand that if you are bringing your own vehicle, parking will prove to be a problem. There’s always a huge crowd and the lanes are too narrow to accommodate cars or bikes. That is why, book your hotels in Hyderabad near Charminar, ensuring that you are staying at a walkable distance from the locality.
While you can get several interesting things from Charminar shopping, understand that bargaining is the key to landing impressive deals. The sellers usually give you inflated prices, at least double the price of what the product is actually worth. So, you must aim to cut down the price by at least half of what they quote. Some shopkeepers say that they have a ‘fixed price’ policy but that’s not a thing in the old city region. There’s always scope for healthy bargaining. If you can do that, nothing is stopping you from getting the best goods from your next Charminar shopping trip!
