If you are up even before dawn in Bombay, you may want to do something different for change. Skip the jog for one morning in the sparse green belts and head out to THE flower market. If you pay a visit to Bombay’s flower market in Dadar, you will soon realize besides the riot of colours and freshness of petals and dew how much money you land up paying for a nicely packaged bouquet of flowers viz a vis flowers brought straight off the road and creatively packaged yourself!:)
This phul market in Dadar is a temporary market that comes alive at 4 am and disappears by 9 am. Traders display their offerings during this time when retailers and decorators, and some customers who want flowers for their personal use, come to stock up for their own customers. There are times I've seen the municipality officials arriving with those large ugly grey vans and the street vendors fleeing with their wares and flowers.
There are flowers everywhere. Marigolds heaped on tarpaulins on the ground and sold by weight, champa in tiny baskets and sold by the number and delicately wrapped in broad leaves, the dazzling orchids and gardenias, as well as the colour co-ordinated gajras of mesmerizing blooms, the cacophony of the sellers and buyers screaming and jostling all contributes to a spectacular audio visual symphony. It is a unique delightful experience for the brave hearted.
The accompanying smiles on the flower sellers faces early morning lingers in the mind. From the woman sitting cross-legged on the ground weaving busily, to the young men weighing the flowers, the older gentleman convincing you to buy the garlands, to the young lady with matted hair selling fragrant lotuses - they all have beaming smiles on their faces.
They probably wakeup very, very early in the morning to be here to sell the flowers (we got there around 7:30 am). Their sales probably determined what they ate for dinner, or if they went hungry. I would cringe whenever I would hear someone bargain for a few rupees. Many a times it appeared, that their whole life belongings were right there in that little jholi by their feet, yet their grace and joy with the world, came through loud and clear. A lovely experience - this market.
19 comments:
Smells heavenly:)
I cant say I was familiar with this locality, But now I am:)
Dadr is a riot of humans during the day, over crowded with people, traffic, sellers, buyers, its commotion and noise right thru the day:( - runa
What colours! Amazing!
In this congregated mass of humanity there is colour so vibrant and aromas so powerful that it would match that of any perfumery in the world. Eyes drown in the colour and your nose in the fragrance of a million flowers all stacked in baskets in multitude. A kaleidoscope for your senses.
wow, mee, what a beautiful time. and what sexy pics. u took?
How did you get that aerial view?
I usually whizz past this area on my way for meetings. Never imagined the activity that happens in the morning...
Our agri sector is robust and healthy - thankj god. This riot of colour and nature amidst the drabbness of the city is most most welcome
Wonder why this market cannot become more permanent to let the city enjoy some joy!
The flowers are gorgeous in phul mkt, a complete steal. I find myself going thr vry frequently despite the muck n noise n wat not - the destination - always fresh flowers:)
Just for as many courteous people selling their wares there - are many "khadoos" sellers too:) angry for some reason and not really too thankful for having individuals like me to sell to! They'd probably prefer bulk buyers I guess:)
markets speaks volumes about the people living in that city.
I haven't had the opportunity to visit the Dadar market but have seen our very own flower market in Bangalore which is no less from the experience you just shared through your blog, the streets below the KR Market flyover turn to become lovely carpets of fresh flowers of all hues and fragrances, its a delight to watch :)
i generally take the my guests to have a look at this riot of colors & fragrances if they want to have a different experience the only catch wake up early on a holiday :)
Wow Meenakshi...you know I'm visiting your blog after long and it sure feels like a good steal...what awesome pics...doesnt seem like Dadar!
Will agree to ur suggestion of the phul market...except on Ganapati festival days!!...have walked to office daily thru a layer of flowers and muck! from dadar stn.
your vivid description makes me feel that i have to go there........... nice way to describe that crowded place
Lovely. :) Did you take the pictures?
So thats what I've been missing! I went there a couple of times ... mainly to scope out the exotic flowers section. At 3p.m. everything and everyone was drowsy and couldnt wait for me to move away. Next time I'll take a look at where the 'action' obviously is :D
wow
hey,
thank you so much for visting at dadar flower market m one of the seller of the flower.there are so many people who take flowers from the market and sell there only. but we have our farm were we plant and early morning by 2:00 am cut the flower and bring them to sell in market and in every season we have to work like this, thank you so much once again for visiting dadar flower market,
thats nice
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