The author explores five iconic vegetable marketsMylapore“It is the temple that creates a kadaiveethi (shopping street),” says Ezhilarasi; three generations of women in her family have been running a vegetable shop in South Mada Street, Mylapore. What we do know is that this market with 850 vegetable shops was the biggest in the city, probably in Asia. Kal MandapamOnce a spacious vegetable market with arcades designed by the British, the dilapidated Kal Mandapam vegetable market in Royapuram retains markings of what it was and can be. ThiruvanmiyurThe vegetable market that shares a wall with the bus depot draws people from a 10-km radius, including Kovalam and Little Mount. They add colour to the city, and shopping in open markets nurtures a relationship between shop owners and shoppers like no new-age store can.

Source: The Hindu August 23, 2016 10:52 UTC