Srinagar’s Sunday Market sustains livelihoods, offers warmth amid chill

Srinagar, Dec 7: As freezing temperatures have gripped the summer capital, the weekly Sunday Market in the heart of Srinagar witnessed a massive rush of customers to buy warm clothes and blankets.

From wee hours today, the weekly flea market witnessed thousands of people thronging the long stretch from TRC to Jahangir Chowk flyover for brisk winter shopping. The biting cold, however, did little to deter shoppers, who wrapped in pherans and woollens moved stall to stall, searching for affordable jackets, blankets, footwear, and household essentials.

Vendors and shoppers said that the brisk footfall was a reflection not just of the winter rush but also of the decades-old emotional connection Kashmiris share with this weekly market. What began decades ago as a modest flea market dominated by thrift and second-hand goods has today evolved into one of the most diverse commercial spaces in the Valley, providing livelihood to hundreds of vendors and economic relief to thousands of households.

“People wait for Sundays the way they wait for festivals. Even today, when it felt like the cold was cutting through our bones, the rush was unbelievable. Winter goods are selling like hot cakes, and we hope this continues because the market supports so many families,” said Irfan Ahmad, a vendor selling jackets.

Over the years, the Sunday Market has witnessed dramatic evolution. Once dominated by piles of second-hand imported coats, trousers, and shoes that drew mostly low-income buyers, the market today hosts vendors selling new stock ranging from branded winter jackets and pullovers to bedding, electronics, footwear, and accessories.

Many traders with established shopfronts elsewhere in Srinagar set up stalls here every Sunday to tap the massive customer flow, demonstrating how the market has grown beyond the margins and into a multi-class shopping destination.

For shoppers, the market remains irreplaceable. “This is where you find everything, and at a price that suits every pocket. A middle-class family, a student, or a labourer, everyone can shop together. You can compare prices, bargain, and walk as much as you want until you find what you like,” said Mohammad Younis, a shopper from Budgam.

But Sunday Market is no longer just about clothes and household goods. Food carts and mobile eateries, lined up through the entire stretch, have become an integral part of the experience, sustaining another layer of livelihoods. From boiled eggs and steaming peanut cones to hot gajar ka halwa, spicy Masal czot, popcorn, biryani pots and grills smoking in the open air, the market’s aromas pull crowds as irresistibly as the shopping bargains do.

“This is the day we earn more than the whole week. People walk for kilometres in the market, and they want something warm to eat. A plate of snacks or a hot drink becomes their fuel in this cold. We wait eagerly for Sunday because this is what keeps our kitchens running,” said a snack seller from Uttar Pradesh who has been operating his cart near Lal Chowk for many years.

Meanwhile, the bustling atmosphere also reflects the social character of Kashmir’s public life. Families stroll together, children cling to balloons and roasted corn, youth hunt for trendy clothing, and tourists sample the street flavours while bargaining with vendors.

Still, many say the massive footfall has its challenges. On Sunday afternoon, heavy congestion brought traffic to a slow crawl along Residency Road and Jahangir Chowk, with pedestrians and vehicles competing for space. Shoppers and traders feel the market’s potential is far greater if authorities step in with structured regulation.

“The entire stretch gets jammed on Sundays. If the stalls are organised and space is maintained properly, people can move more freely. With little planning, this market can become a properly managed attraction every week,” said Mohammad Ashraf, another shopper.

Vendors share the same concern. Many said better infrastructure, dedicated vendor zones, better waste management, and streamlined traffic would benefit both traders and visitors. Several believe that if authorities recognise its importance, the Sunday Market could evolve into a formally supported cultural and commercial asset for Srinagar.