Laxmi Road
A visit to Pune is incomplete if you have not visited Laxmi Road at least once. Laxmi Road is the real heart of Pune. This historic, majestic and dazzling street in the middle of the old city attracts shoppers from all parts of the city round the year. This is the one-stop shopping destination which allows free bargaining from clothes, footwear, home appliances to jewelry and everything. In order to get the true shopping flavor of the Pune city just head to the dazzling streets of Laxmi Road and check out the numerous traditional as well as the fashionable stores.
Most shops here have a brand-new look having their own sets of loyal customers who would not go anywhere for shopping other than Laxmi Road. The shops are open all days a week except on Mondays as the shopkeepers prefer to take the day off. This shopping zone is located in the center of the city and hence can be easily spotted. This shopping street consists of narrow lanes and by-lanes. The roads are always packed with people and crowded. On a crowded evening you will need skills to move across the narrow bylanes in Laxmi Road. However the hustle and bustle of the street demonstrates the lively atmosphere that prevails in the city of Pune. The streets have shops on both sides of the road. You will find several shops have displayed items such as bangles, traditional Indian clothes, jewellery, kitchenware and several other articles in such a manner that you can spot them from a great distance. It is the perfect place to visit for all kinds of shopping, modern to traditional. Laxmi Road is famous especially for its saree shops. Just visit the shops and check out the different varieties of Indian sarees like the Narayan Peth and the Pochampalli which are extremely popular among the Indian women. There are also several shops selling salwaar kameez that comes in bright colors or pastel shades either printed or in exotic embroidery work. The jewelry shops in Laxmi Road are equally renowned all over the city. You will find both modern and traditional jewelry here. All varieties from gold to silver and earthen to oxidized are available. Always keep check on your bag and other valuables while shopping here. Shopping in Laxmi Road is a fabulous experience that suits your taste and fits your budget. The market or rather the row of shops on either sides of the road, is said to be more than 70 years old. According to the book, ‘Pune Itihaas Darshan’ , during the time of the Peshwas, the market was located on Kasba Peth. It was later moved to Budhwar Peth and then to Laxmi road in 1940. But historian Mandar Lavate bags to differ. So does Fatehchand Ranka, president of the Pune Saraf Association and a jeweller. “Laxmi road was conceptualised and planned by a prominent citizen, Diwan Bahadur Godbole, in 1912, which was finally completed in 1952. This happens to be the same road that we use today. As for the shops, some were located there even before the road was named Laxmi road. More shops began to appear in the later years, whereas some shops are quite recent constructions,” says Lavate. The road was named after the goddess of wealth, as the basics of all business is wealth, he adds.
Starting at the Alka Talkies Square and running right through the old city, it terminates in the Cantonment area – an overall length of 4 kms. Over 90 percent of its length is literally lined with shops on both sides. It’s possible to find everything on Laxmi road. In order to get the true flavor of the Indian culture, one can simply walk into this bustling street and check out the numerous fashionable and traditional stores.
Laxmi Road is closed on Mondays and in the afternoons.
Compiled by: Townpune.com Team
