There is a place that has hardly lost its charm over years even amidst the arrival of glitzy and glamorous shopping malls, especially on Eid. What is Eid without a trip to the good old Gausia, Chadni Chawk and New Market area? A place to shop, gather and socialize – Dhaka New Market area is a place that is deeply associated and attached to our lives.
Spacious, high arched gates and the captivating architecture makes New Market a significant landmark in Dhaka’s map while endless narrow alleys of Gausia and Chadni Chawk make them a shoppers’ paradise. This whole place might not have a glossy look, fancy interior or glamorous galore of things, but the spacious alleys, road side stalls and openness make it a unique place of its own.
To start with New Market , it has it all – from clothes to crockery, jewellery to saris, books to stationary, shoes and cosmetics, food and fancy eye wear, leather goods and travel kits, music and musing. And the best part is all these are available for affordable price and best of quality. The shops have legacy of their own and they consider customers as more than just buyers. It is in the history that the construction of the market started in 1952 during the period of Nurul Amin, the Chief Minister of East Pakistan and construction was completed in 1954.
The sari shops in New Market have maintained their standard and a dedicated customer base for the longest. For some, sari buying means a visit to New Market only. Names like- Khan Brothers, Gulshan, Jesimun, Shalimar, Banarasi Emporium and many more places offer saris of different types to cater the needs of Eid shoppers. One can find here cotton, silk, katan, jamdani, Indian and every possible type of sari here ranging between various prices depending on material and design.
Lehengas are also available here for those who aim to dress up a little dramatic. Moving from sari to kamizes, New Market has readymade kamizes as well as materials which can be turned into kamizes as per design and combination of the shoppers. There are also materials available in millions of shades for blouse and other purposes.
Ready clothes stores offer clothes for children and adults as well including dresses, shirts, pants etc. Tailors are also available for those who want to make clothes on their own. This part of the market also has jewellery shops, eye wears, cosmetics etc. Moving on the other side of New Market, away from clothes and accessories – there is a segment of the market dedicated to the household and everything one needs for home.
Bedding and curtain and, crockery, utensils, kitchen gadgets, decorations, container, cleaning elements, storage – there is absolutely nothing in the world and nothing one need that cannot be found there. What make this shopping experience worth the heat and rush are the price and the durability of goods and services.
On the east side of the street from New Market, there is Chadni Chawk – known to be the paradise for young girls and ladies. Chadni Chawk is the best possible place for fabrics. The never ending alleys have hundreds of shops selling fabrics of different types and kinds. From local to foreign fabrics are found here in plenty and variety. There are also laces, borders and other accessories found here to go with the fabrics.
For Eid, they bring in the bests from all over and the collection seen here is hardly seen anywhere else. What else this markets offers? There are shoes, silver jewellery, bags and other accessories that any woman might need for a complete look. The place requires bargaining and during Eid is a little less flexible but nevertheless the prices offered here are the best in the city.
Next to Chadni Chawk are Gausia Market and Hawkers Market, located opposite each other. During this pre- Eid shopping phase this area would be bustling with shoppers from morning till late night with a small break during iftar. Gausia Market has the largest stores offering accessories, cosmetics, tailoring and clothing accessories.
Hair clips, bands, earrings, bangles, rings, hair extensions, lace, and buttons – everything is available here for the special occasion and the special looks on Eid. Hawkers market is a depot of saris. Jamdani, Katan, Dhakai, cotton, silk, kota, chiffon, georgette – you name it, they have it. The collection is mostly local with imported saris from India. The collection is massive in terms of design, material and type with prices that are affordable and something for everyone’s choices.
This whole area has uncountable numbers of street hawkers, temporary stalls and roadside stands selling kitchen wear to hair clips which are great buys and absolutely convenient as they pop up just when you need them. These are definitely a major attraction of shopping in this area. And if one is fasting while shopping, s/he need not worry as there are plenty of places to break the fast, get some rest and go back to shopping.
This part of the city is where one can feel the festivity like nowhere else. The hustle bustle of the shoppers, the bargains, the enthusiastic shop keepers and everything else make the celebration even more delightful and exciting. Definitely a must visit every Eid, New Market and the surrounding area can never lose its charm. (new age)
