Kalbadevi is a bustling commercial center located on the Marine Lines, east of
Girgaon, in central
Mumbai. No visit to Mumbai will be fulfilling without a foray to the bazaars of Kalbadevi, north of
Crawford Market. Kalbadevi is about 2 km south of
Khetwadi.
Kalbadevi is a predominantly Muslim dominated area marked by a confusing maze of narrow lanes, quite in contrast to the orderliness and relative space of South Mumbai. It is where caste traditions override capitalist marketing theories; entire streets devoted to selling a single product and the shops being run by people of a single community is quite a common phenomenon here. So do not get amused if one suddenly comes across shop after shop selling bathroom fittings or copper pipes and nothing else.
Zaveri Bazaar (Jewellery), Mangaldas Market (cloth), Dhabu Street (leather goods) and Chor Bazaar (Mumbai's `thieves' market') are the major shopping centers in Kalbadevi. But don’t place too much faith in the genuineness or the longevity of objects with mechanical parts.
The place houses the famous Kalbadevi Temple. Bhendi Bazaar and the textile hub of Bhuleshwar are nearby.
Charni Road is the nearest suburban railway station.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is around 20 km north. Nearest major railhead is Mumbai Central Railway Station. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station is around 4 km south.
