It’s time to bring out your swirling 10-metre ghagras lehengas and vibrant chaniya cholis and get set for some high energy on the dance ground. Navratri starts on Sunday, and folks have their outfits all planned for the nine nights of revelry! If you are someone who still has to pick up your outfit in Mumbai, head to the one place considered the treasure trove of lehenga-kedia shopping—Bhuleshwar!
This is the place to find the best festive fashion edit—from ornate mirror work lehengas and embroidered cholis, belts, chaniya cholis and garba-ready separates in little shops. Best part? These are budget-friendly and won’t break the bank! We took a walk into the quaint lanes and found it chock-full of sequins, mirrors, shoppers and festive excitement.
Daytime is ideal to pay a visit here, but if you plan to head here post work hours, this is when you’ll see the market all lit up and giving colourful vibes, with busy shopfronts, sequins catching the light and shopkeepers pulling out one dazzling piece after another. At this place, traditional Gujarati silhouettes get playful updates with neon hues, jewel tones, hot pinks and greens—perfect for that Garba night style. Leena Desai, a nearby resident who dropped by along with her teenage daughter, was looking for two-tone colour combinations like lime green with pink or blue with yellow. “It stands out and takes away the monotony of having single colours like red,” she said.
At 45-year-old Jodhpur Saree Centre, near Kabutar Khana, lehenga cholis and blouses with multicoloured gamthi hand embroidery, abhla (mirror) work and cowrie shells are grabbing attention and business is brisk, with women choosing their favourites. “Of course, chaniya cholis are most popular and they start at ₹1,500. There is also a big demand for structured and corset-style blouses, plus back cutouts adorned with latkans (tassels), beautiful skirts as well as outfits with ari work, ajrakh and other Jaipuri prints, starting from ₹700,” informs owner Sunita Daga.
The ghagras are beautiful with geometric motifs, peacocks, and elephants. They can go up to 10-metre flares in butter silk or cotton with kalis (panels) and stone work. Bright leheriya skirts are lightweight and ideal for hours spent dancing. You can pick up a variety of belts to cinch in the waist, from maximalist jewel-toned belts to fabric and thread work styles, coin belts, oxidised silver kandoras and belts with ghungroo accents. Don’t forget to team your look with a contrasting bandhani dupatta that you can tuck under the belt. These will leave you spoilt for choice, bordered with pom-poms, mirrors, tassels or cowrie shells, that make an impact at every swirl!
An absolute staple of any Garba look is antique oxidised silver jewellery, which is lightweight and won’t weigh you down during the long nights. This market also has a number of little shops and street stalls that specialise in lightweight German silver, alloy-based oxidised metal, and silver-lookalike jewellery. Start your jewellery trail right at the iconic Kabutar Khana circle for the best budget-friendly pieces.
Chunky oxidised kadas are a steal at ₹100 each, while traditional hasli chokers start at Rs 200 and longer necklaces at ₹300. Their slightly blackened finish goes well with the outfits' jewel tones and bright embroidery, giving a bohemian vibe. Other must-buys include oversized jhumkas, chaandbalis, and kaan chains that can be pinned in the hair, as well as the three-string matha pattis and paayals!
We suggest you pick up a mix of pieces to help style your way through Navratri’s nine nights!
While Bhuleshwar is globally famous for traditional clothes, the adjoining narrow lanes and markets also have multi-brand footwear shops selling sequin and crystal keds or glitter sneakers that go perfectly with the maximalist lehenga. They’re also totally comfortable and meant for high-speed Garba steps like Dodhiya, Popatiyu, and Sanedo, which involve continuous jumping, stamping, and sharp pivoting. Our take? Go for the emeralds, deep reds, and bright pink sneakers that match the energy of the outfit!