Clock tower is the prominent landmark of the old city, one of the oldest yet colorful markets of Jodhpur with well-adjusted 7,000 plus match-box sized shops. It’s a great place to ramble around which is surrounded by various colorful and aromatic spice shops to bazaars selling vegetables, sweets, textiles, silver jewelry, books, bangles, antique items, and handicrafts. This is also known as Girdikot and Sardar Market which is mainly famous for general merchandise and Bandhini situated near the clock tower lined with tiny shops.
One can buy the tie and dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, puppets, marble inlay work, etc. from the shops of these markets.
Sardar Market lays slap bang in the city center. It has a beacon to signal its location, the imposing Clock Tower that was built by Maharaja Sardar Singh (1880-1911) from whom the market takes its name.
The main entrance to Sardar Market is from the opposite side, coming up Nai Sarak, through a gate which named Girdikot (crowded gate). Nai Sarak has always been lined with sari and shoe shops. The range of items seen in this bazaar varies from its specialty, genuine and ‘just-made’ antiques, carpets and rugs, quilts and blankets in winter, puppets dressed in typical Rajasthani styles to exquisite Rajasthani textiles, filigreed miniature beasts of burden, marble inlay work, and ancient silver jewelry.
Obviously, the result is either amusing or annoying chaos, with tiny shops full of loud bargaining customers lining both sides of the narrow lanes. To say that the market displays a magnificent blend of modern architectural concepts with Rajput traditions would be tinkering with facts. But then, it’s a war down there and everything is fair in such a setting. A wide range of handicrafts will always be found in shops in markets like these. A variety of spices, vegetables, and colorful Indian sweets are invariably available in shops that are very crowded. Second-hand defense castaways, old books, old bags, and other similar detritus will be spotted somewhere.
The exquisite bangles and beautiful scarves, lovely handmade bags and Jooties (slip on shoes with a pointed front) are a visual delight. A lot of manual work goes into the making of these intricate items and objects by hands. This famous market is most cheap and offers a bursting riot of sights, sounds, and smells. Popular souvenirs include Bandhej sarees and fabric, Mojris or Jootis, silver jewelry or antique items like puppets among many others can go with your memories of visiting clock tower.
Red chili of Mathaniya’s shop is famous for its dark red color and other things to look out for include hand-embroidered fabrics, handicrafts, and flavored teas. Also, Mishrilaal’s Makhania lassi(buttermilk), Mirchi vada and Samosa at Shahi Samosa shop and Govind’s omelets are there for instant Jodhpuri taste.
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