Mirpur Road's bustling shopping scene

As your car inches towards Dhaka College on Mirpur Road, you start to peek here and there assessing the shopping deals. The place is teeming with thousands of early Eid shoppers or random bargain hunters, all looking for the best offers before the festival. No matter where in the world you stay and how many fancy shopping boulevards you have been to, a Bangalee needs to go to their favourite four corners of the shopping world — Gawsia, New Market, Hawkers, and the all-important Chandni Chawk, with Priyangan Shopping Center and Doza Market on the sides — when in Dhaka and during festive times.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.

For a fitting blouse, that particular shade of pink lace, the soft linens for housecoats, or that beautiful embroidery on the panjabi collar — you need to go to Gawsia or Chandni Chawk at least a few times, especially during Ramadan.

The mood in this part of the city is always festive, but come Ramadan, the shopping festivity turns to a frenzy. Women and men equally flock to these areas for variation and affordable prices. A three-piece set from Chandni Chawk, matching jewellery from the footpaths, and a slipper can complete your morning look for Eid day — that too under Tk 1,500!

You can venture out to the second storey for more expensive options to choose from for your evening wear.  Walking toward the yardage shops in Chandni Chawk, you bargain for a white chikankari fabric for Tk 800 per yard for your exclusive Eid panjabi. You will be relieved to know that these shops will relay your orders with the tailor in Chandni Chawk. Doza Market is a haven for affordable, good-quality buys.

From ladies’ tops and trousers to children’s clothes, men’s shorts and t-shirts for casual use, you name it and you get it under Tk 2,000. If you venture towards Priyangan to look for more panjabi or shalwar kameez options, the shops are lively with fashionable dresses featuring sequin work, dazzling borders, zari work, and so much more. If you are done with your wardrobe purchases, and your interest is now on household accessories, then you most definitely should walk towards the rear of New Market and stop at the Singapore Market.

Electronic appliances, barbeque stoves, pizza or dosa pans, blenders, non-stick woks, chopping boards, crockery, and cutlery; no matter how long your list is you will find it there. It’s a treasure trove for household goods. The vegetable market behind New Market is also a rendezvous for food purchases; unroasted cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, chia seeds, exotic masala powder like asafoetida, special garam masala — the list can be stretched as much as you desire.  Also available are ripe tamarinds wrapped in banana leaves, fancy herbs like celery, sweet basil, salad leaves, and the must-buy loose orange pekoe tea leaves.

Shopping in this part of the city is fun. You get everything in one space and within walking distance — tailors, embroiders, to grocers are all included. Chandraat shopping in this vicinity will give you a rush like no other.

Traffic though is a damper but the experience is worth it.