Ancient Kothachiwadi.

Khotachiwadi is a heritage village in Girgaon, Mumbai. Get down at charni road station and exit from east side. Although it walk able but don’t be taken aback as many people are not aware of this place. Ask shop-keepers for better directions.

It was founded in the late 18th century by Khot, a Pathare prabhu, there used to be 65 of these houses, now reduced to 28 as old buildings are being pulled down to make way for new skyscrapers.

Most of them are a mix of Portuguese and Indian origin, and the quaint old houses with their trellised balconies and latticed windows look like a forgotten pocket of Portugal.

Most of the residents now descend from the original inhabitants of Bombay. Recently Gujarathis, Marwaris have moved into the area.

You may in reality see the entire vicinity in just one hour.

I individually find Bandra village more historical gorgeous.

Lad Bazaar: extravagance galore.

Although Hyderabad is my home town, but after moving to Mumbai, whenever I visit Hyderabad, I make it a point to wander around the old city as it’s the most charming and active part and certainly make me feel at home.

This time around I just happen to be there with a female friend who wanted to shop and I was not very certain of taking pictures, as I have adequate pictures already in my bank. But the bustle around the bazaar got me going.

While sitting in one of the numerous bangle stores of Lad Bazaar, I just realize how fortunate it is to be a woman. Lad means indulgence, and surely this is the place in Hyderabad for a lady to indulge herself.

I just loved the mirror image in this shop which imprisons the true spirit of any typical Hyderabadi. Irrespective of religion, caste, festival and any reason, this place if full of shoppers (mostly ladies) looking for exclusive bangles to adorn their hands. And am glad I clicked some good frames.

The shining and lively Bazaar lies in the heart of this nawabi city, next to the glorious Charminar. Although the place is a mecca for shoppers looking for anything from bridal wear to cosmetic to kitchenware to books to sandals to jewellery. But the real draw is the superb range of Lac and Glass bangles that’s dazzling and too much to handle by your delicate eyes.