Irrespective of whether you are an avid shopper or simply sightseeing in the island nation of Sri Lanka, Pettah Bazaar is a unique attraction that must be experienced at least once, but you wouldn’t be blamed for coming back to this vibrant shopping district. In fact, this distinctive exotic bazaar with its unique sights and sounds reminds one of the Middle East with its narrow lanes, innumerable stalls and vendors, as well as amazing bargains on a bewildering array of merchandise.
Sri Lanka is well-known as a multicultural nation, and nowhere is this more evident than at Pettah. Long considered to be a locality of the Muslim community, you will also naturally see Tamils and Sinhalese here, along with other ethnicities and tourists from abroad. Pettah is always a bustling, vibrant place filled with pedestrians, tuk-tuks and an immense assortment of humanity. The visitor will see people in Western attire as well as sarongs and saris in this commercial enclave where many locals as well as visitors come to browse and shop. Spreading outwards from the railway station at Fort, you will find street after street of the best bargains in the land.
The visitor will see that shops selling similar goods are grouped next to one another. On Sea Street you will see hundreds of jewellery stores in close proximity, each eagerly anticipating worthy customers. If you have an interest in Ayurveda (indigenous medicine), you will be pleased to find a cluster of shops nearby selling various medicaments, roots and herbs. On the other hand, near the Old Town Hall building, the visitor will come across a covered marketplace selling all manner of vegetables and fruits, including unusual varieties native to Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Keyzer Street is the place to go to for domestic goods. Other commonly found items at Pettah are all kinds of apparel, toys, electrical appliances, footwear, printed textiles and luggage amongst many others.
Even if you don’t buy anything, you are sure to enjoy exploring the streets of Pettah and its multitude of stores, hawkers and merchants presenting a genuinely Sri Lankan experience. Discerning visitors interested in holiday packages Sri Lanka will be pleased to experience the Sri Lanka tour packages offered by Shanti Travel Sri Lanka – an outstanding travel specialist on the island.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.
