Fascinating 'Floating Bazaar' Of India Happens in Banaras

By Adi Vishnu / Varanasi

A bazaar floating in the river Ganga, seems incredible but this happens in Banaras. With the foreign tourists enjoying an early morning boat ride on their sojourn to the city, the locals leave no chance to lure these phirangs with ethnic products. Displaying chunky jewellery, brass and copper ware, diyas on boats they follow them around even in the middle of the river.
Gabriela from Argentina was delighted to see this floating bazaar while she was enjoying a boat ride. Right from beads jewellery to artifacts in brass the young man had it all on his boat . It is quite a novel way to sell things, she says.

While Priscilla Antiono from Italy did not mind checking out from this floating bazaar. Since the boat ride across the wide span of river Ganga takes lot of time so one does not mind bargaining with these sellers.The only thing that offends when they turn persistent, she says.

The boatmen feel that it is an easier way to market their goods. Normally, a boat ride is enjoyed by big groups of foreigners, so the message runs across to all of them instantly when one tends to sell products during that time. Otherwise we have to run after them individually, says Rajesh, a boatman.

The holy city of Varanasi, which was earlier known as Banaras has evolved itself from being just a spiritual destination. Tourists come here to see this ancient cultural city and explore the rich and invigorating spiritual ambiance. Of recent a new facet Boating on the banks of the mighty Ganges has been among the popular indulgence for those planning to take up Varanasi holidays in Uttar Pradesh. 

The foreigners usually use these boat rides to explore the region and now the locals are using these boats as floating shops to lure the foreigners into buying various products. Starting from ethnic beads jewelry these floating bazaars sell varieties of trinkets, numerous artifacts, brass and copper wares and even colorful diyas.

These bazaars are a welcome change especially for the foreigners who want to enjoy shopping for local handicrafts. Boating on the wide span of the river can take a lot of time and foreigners are happy to utilize this time in bargaining with the sellers. These local sellers too have benefitted from this unique initiative as it helps them in selling their goods to a large crowd at once.