It is a veritable riot of colours. With happy sounds of people and their weighing machines. The buzz at the Budh Ka Bazaar is captivating. The energy on market-day in Panchgani, every Wednesday (Budh in Hindi) is something else. It sure gets the adrenaline going.

The bazaar starts to �sit� around 9.30 a.m., peaks at 11.30 a.m. and goes on well into late afternoon. So what�s so special about the Budh Ka Bazaar of Panchgani? I�ll tell you.

It is local flavour at its best. To start with the market is bigger, brighter, better, than on normal bazaar days. Why so? Because any number of small farmers from around the innumerable villages nestling on the hilly slopes of Panchgani and even down yonder in the valley come up here with their precious offerings on this one day, in the hope of selling off whatever it is they have grown, or cultivated, during the week.

Depending on the size and stature of the farmer it could be just two kilos of brinjals, 50 bundles of bhaji or perhaps 100 kilos of onions. These farmers, men, women and children, then settle down for the day, in a narrow lane which houses the tiny telephone exchange just off the main road between the local post office and police station, diagonally across the Roache Bakery. It�s a perfect scene.

What is remarkable is that the produce which without much ado is grown organically, is of such superior quality, it is a joy to merely window shop. Everything looks good. Nothing seems overgrown or outsized like in city markets. You will find shiny baby brinjals, gentle looking new potatoes, crisp lettuce, green leafy vegetables, turnips, cabbage and cauliflower, french beans and delicate lady fingers, pumpkins and various gourds, coriander and mint on sale here.

Fruits are not bad, too. The tastiest of bananas, green guavas, needless to say the best strawberries and raspberries. In addition, there is ample grain, pulses, lentils, masalas, spices and plenty or dry red chillies. You can also buy live chicken, and the cleanest possible dry fish, and �jowla�, the tiny dry shrimps you make Goan �sukem� from.

The amazing part is not only are you getting good quality produce but you are getting them at throwaway prices. Usually it is 40 per cent less than city prices. So, juicy red tomatoes cost just Rs. 6 in season vis-a-vis Rs. 20 elsewhere. And the mangoes are so cheap you are embarrassed to pay so little.

So you jostle on through the lane crowded with sellers and buyers with delightful surprises thrown your way. Like a child sitting complacently holding a dozen little eggs for sale. On closer examination you know for sure they are free range eggs. Cute, delicate things, looking like they are made of porcelain! Of course, you think of an akuri breakfast the next morning and immediately buy the lot, without a thought that it is customary to bargain. While you thank your lucky stars for chancing upon the eggs you notice the smile on the boy�s face, he is ready to go off to play, now isn�t that a bonus?