If you are the kind of person to rejoice in market fervour and activity, then you know you have waltzed into paradise when you arrive in the centre of the market stretch along the winding streets of Matheran�s M.G. Road.

History is woven into the heart of this place - the oldest market was started by the veteran Ratanbhai Kapadia way back in 1919! It stands behind a lofty arch opening into a compound. This vegetable mart is run by the local Shinde family. The vegetables arrive daily on horseback, in the morning and afternoon. It is fascinating to watch an entire army of horses taking on the role of transporters with sacks full of vegetables and fruits. There�s everything from cabbage to pumpkin available in abundance. The military and hassan variety of patotoes used for making crunchy wafers, are a local specialty. The rustic varieties of mangoes from Neral, and the fresh vegetables from Vashi, are a must-buy.

Sharing space in the market is the century-old Kotwal saloon, a dry fish and mutton market as well as Chavan�s farsan mart, absolute jewels in this market�s crown. At Chavan�s one can indulge in the sumptuous shankarpali- India�s answer to a palmier biscuit. It�s a joyous feeling to walk through an ancient market like this and breathe in some moments of yesteryear Matheran.

Come Sunday morning and Matheran bursts alive as the streets are abuzz with the hustle-bustle of the village folk or the adivasis from the neighbouring villages, who come here to sell their wares. They walk three long hours from surrounding villages like Tadwadi, Thakurwadi, Varosawadi, and even Neral from the valley, straight to the market. The bazaar is a kaleidoscopic splash of colours as you see baskets full of lush green leafy vegetables, mauve aubergines, white pumpkins and plum red tomatoes make their appearance. From the loyal locals to the enthusiastic visitors, everyone�s here to watch the spectacle and soak in the village charm. It�s amazing to watch the tribal folk in full glory with their produce all grown in their farms. The freshness of the goods and purity of the people�s spirits could indeed be startling for an urban tourist. It�s the constant clucking of live chicken being sold in baskets together with the chatter of the villagers and squabbling customers that makes for a live orchestra. The eye-catching fruits are the violet jamuns, the succulent tadgolas, the wild totapuri variety of mangoes, the juicy chikoos and the purple karwandas.

If art is what you fancy, then it�s certainly worthwhile to watch a group of the villagers selling vibrant grass art with gusto. Called gavat and sanjivani, this art is spread out under the banyan tree in the market. It comprises bouquets of dried flowers and hand-painted plants in bright colors as well as muddy sparkling stones that people buy to accessorise their gardens. The stuff is original and rather affordable. Walking through the open market could be like strolling through Europe�s old flea markets, only the simplicity is far greater here in Matheran.