There’s no place quite like Pondy Bazaar in Chennai. The milling crowds, high pitched voices calling attention to their wares, doormen inviting you into shops, footpath vendors of bangles, junk jewellery, footwear, cheap fashion & lingerie, cosmetics, flowers, soft toys, hard toys, DVDs, music, pav bhaji, silks, paints, hardware and software among plenty of other interesting buys.

Legend has it that there’s nothing you won’t find at Pondy Bazaar. Well I’m not sure how far that legend can stand on its own two feet, ‘cos I can think of at least half a dozen things that King’s Cross has and Pondy Bazaar doesn’t. Never mind. The truth is you’ll find approximately everything here. From the famous Chennai silks to the lesser known ‘sundal’ vendors. You’ll also find close to the entire populace here in the festival season. This is where most of Chennai spends all their savings. It’s a sight to behold. On a street that starts from Mount Road and goes right into the depths of T Nagar.

I thoroughly enjoy an evening walk down Thiyagaraja Road into Pondy Bazaar. Just to catch glimpses of life in various colours and emotions. You must try it too. And do carry a camera. There’s a lot more you can cary back than just shopping bags.