Sunday Market of Ahmedabad - a flea market like none other!

Sunday market in Ahmedabad has always been synonymous with an new and unique experiences which cannot be had anywhere else in the city. Since I studied engineering (Nirma) as well as design (NID) in the city, it was always a paradise of stuff which can not be procured from anywhere else. From old coins from the Raj era to records which can be invaluable to many, the market has something for everyone. Even if you don't want to buy anything, the place has enough charm that can hold you back for hours.

sunday market ahmedabad street photography
You get everything here, even a gramophone on a good bargain price!

This is a story of one of my last trips to the market with friends before the river front development project relocated the market to a much better space, though arguably with much less character.

One of the first things we saw was a dead body fished out from my dear Sabarmati (or whatever survives of it) on the banks of Sunday Market of Ahmedabad, not that it deter the mood of the market! We took some pictures (I decided against publishing the disturbing images here) and then decided to be gulped down by the market itself, that's how the experience is when you visit Ahmedabad's Sunday Market.

sabarmati river sunday market ahmedabad street photography
The man reaching out to his parrot, it was quite an accidental shot...

sunday market ahmedabad street photography
Nothing new about the snap, but her smile is just so beautiful
sunday market ahmedabad street photography
Bidi! Something to try out...

Located on the river front towards the end of Ellis Bridge, its a treat for any Amdavadi, especially if you are looking for some great snapshots or making cheap purchases. The market starts early in the morn and goes on till at least late afternoon. If you have an eye, you can possibly find anything here.


sunday market ahmedabad street photography
Ah! My favorite!
sunday market ahmedabad street photography
Old age catching on, but she was high on spirits...
sunday market ahmedabad street photography
A popular drink to kill the heat; no, I didn't try it out
sunday market ahmedabad street photography
A lone pandit...

This post isn't exactly about the market, though it formed the backdrop of all these images. Its about the people who come here, either to sell, purchase or even to just see and observe. I have purchased everything from this place, including LP records which don't even play and mournfully just hang on my walls. But its a hot hot hot place, the punishing Ahmedabad sun will extract every bit of fluid in your body even in October!

sunday market ahmedabad street photography
The woman even danced for me :)
sunday market ahmedabad street photography
Many birds are sold here, somehow pigeons are a favorite, a man checking a pigeon before purchase

For those who do not know, Sridarshini is a popular (at least with all current and ex NIDians, and all South Indians in Ahmedabad) South Indian food joint on the new city edge of the iconic Ellis Bridge. The food is good, cheap and todally value for money :) I strongly recommend set dosas followed by super strong filter coffee on any Sunday morning
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Comments

  1. the old lady pic is superbb....its so very clear....n sid what is the name of that drink..?

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  2. once again, sid luvd ur pics.. and theres some grace in that lady's smile..

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  3. Gorgeous photos! Everyone looks lively in contrast to the start of your day. Would love to visit a market like this - though it does sound hot...

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  4. Great captures . Every snap is superb .

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  5. Ahhh..yes her smile is just soooo beautiful again Im mesmerized
    yet,the old lady steals the limelight :D
    Nice

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  6. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVV5sHhXWXk/Tpu1oDB2OqI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/TN-Bk7kwcwY/s1600/sunday+market+06.JPG

    Amazing portrait, really nice

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  7. Quite a dramatic start!
    Love the portraits, they all tell their own story!

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  8. The portraits are particularly eye catching.

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  9. es un placer recorrer tu blog, y ver la fuerza de la cultura de tu zona. los retratos son excelentes

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  10. @vishakha: Thanks da, and I do not remember the name of the drink now :(

    @bijoy: Thanks buddy, I liked all the ladies :)

    @Andrea: I am sure you would love a place like this, mad and full of mayhem. The heat is just a deterrent...

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  11. @Dhiraj: Thanks buddy!

    @theothersideofme: I agree, the old lady is fabulous...and sweetly she agreed to let me click her without hesitation!

    @fabio: Thanks :)

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  12. @DeeBee: Thank you :)

    @eyeinthesky: Thanks buddy!

    @ricardo: Thank you (though am still not sure what you just said) :)

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  13. Nice clicks Siddhartha.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  14. I loved each and every photograph Sid! I have reached a threshold when it is difficult for me to select just one :) I am all awed....

    #_#
    24x7clicks

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  15. @RNiranjanDas: Thank you :)

    @Chintan: Wow...am wowed by your feedback :) And pls don't like the pics so much dear...you might just be terribly disappointed from the next post!

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  16. You always get the most fantastic portraits. Love this series as well.

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  17. Hi!

    Very nice post , brilliant phographs with informative text.

    www.belovedlife-santosh.blogspot.com
    www.santoshspeaks.blogspot.com

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  18. Picture perfect post but where is the Dosa ?

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  19. Beautiful series as always!! Your pictures is so alive, moving and colorful.

    Regards from Tania:-)

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  20. love the smiles, so candid. Do you have to ask for permission before shooting?

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  21. wonderful eye and cool composition with great timing ... i liked all these snaps ... wonderful work ...

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  22. The stunning colors, the composition, and the faces... amazing as always. You have captured the spirit of this market in your portraits. As a photographer you surely have an easy manner around people who become willing subjects. Fabulous!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  23. first time at ur space ...

    Loved the pics man... quite vibrant and indian :):)

    PS : the lone pandit my fav ::)

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  24. This is a great set of pics - I particularly like the one of the smoking man.

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  25. @Halcyon: Thank you :)

    @Santosh: Thanks, glad you found it useful!

    @Abhishek: The dosas were already in our stomachs by the time the camera came out :)

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  26. @spiderdama: Thanks Tania!

    @LifeUnordinary: That's a tough question...sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. A lot of my pics are actually candid so no permissions needed...

    @Ashish: Thanks a lot!

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  27. @Genie: I guess I am always smiling when I approach people and click. And I often strike a conversation with my subjects...people generally love to get clicked :)

    @Sourabh: Great that you liked the space man, hope you will keep visiting it :)

    @journeyphotographic: Thanks, I also liked the man :)

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  28. Thanks Bhushavali, I also just loved her :)

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  29. What a gorgeous and lively pictorial account. :-)
    I've always wanted to visit North India even though most of my friends are from the North.
    Oh and I had some South Indian food at a restaurant in America. I can be sure that it wasn't legit South Indian food, but still.

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  30. @Otto: Thanks a lot!

    @Komal: Thank you :) Though I am a North Indian, my current residence is west, and I love eating South Indian food :) It kind of gets confusing for someone who is not from here :)

    I am sure you will love North India, and will find many many common elements with Pakistan. South India would be different! And the best thing about South Indian dosas is that you can't uually go wrong with it...even when I try it at home, it comes out quite ok :)

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  31. Loved your Work, Will come back to go through the older post. I am encouraged to try street photography

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  32. Gorgeous shots, all of them! I love the portraits, espesially the old woman.

    Irene

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  33. Great photographs once again... love the top photograph and the one of the lone pandit...

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  34. @magiceye: Thanks!

    @Sudhir: You are most welcome man, and do try street/ people photogrphy...but it can get absolutely addictive too :)

    @Irene: Thanks a ton :)

    @Dominic: Thanks man, I also like the first pic...

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  35. These should be in the National Geographic!

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  36. Your photos are really nice, i like them

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  37. @Ash: Hahahaha...thanks a lot dear :)

    @Sergio: Thank you :)

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  38. And sid, am not at all disappointed :P with your next post.

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