Bengaluru Through Its Market – the “Pete” walk

The heart of every Indian city is bustling with markets teaming with life and economic activity. The Pete (City Market) area in Bengaluru is the epicentre of business and trade for the locals of the city and beyond. Trading in the Pete is geographically divided by the commodity one wishes to buy or sell. Akkipete (Rice Market), Aralepete (Cotton Market), Balepete (Bangle Market), Chikka Pete (Small Market), Dodda Pete (Big/wholesale Market), Nagarath Pete (Jewellers market) so on and so forth. As you’ve rightly guessed Bangalore had a market for every commodity that you can imagine!

On this walk, we’ll give you an insight into the markets of Bengaluru and how the trading communities of the city work cohesively to help support the city’s need. Traditionally the traders in the Pete “market” comprised of both local and migrant people from trading communities. This also means that you get to meet people from various walks of life who’ve made Bengaluru their home and the ones who have learnt their trade from their forefathers and have built a sustainable livelihood supporting the current economy.

Here’s what you can expect to see on your walk….

• The remnants of a palace that once belonged to Tipu Sultan
• Learn of the first ever “rocket” that was used in battle and formed the basis for future warfare
• Visit an old Hindu temple – the “Kote Venkataramana Temple” with influences of the wealthy Vijayanagara Empire.
• Walk around the famed flower market, wrap your senses with colour and fragrances. The market is a photographer’s delight.
• Visit a weaver to learn about hand and mechanical weaving that makes some of the intricate designs on silks.
• Enjoy a scrumptious plantain leaf meal at a local joint that feeds the traders of the market.
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Who can do this tour?

This tour is for anyone with a keen interest in walking through the bylanes of Bengaluru, going off the beaten path and learning about the city’s truly local way of life. A contrast of the old and the new all amalgamated into a half day tour through the markets of the city. This tour is ideal if you are someone who wants to immerse yourself in understanding the “local” way of life.

Physically, this is not an intensive walk making it doable for anyone who wishes to explore Bangalore through its bylanes. Just be warned that the streets are bustling with loads of people and a lot of sights, sounds, and smells.