Pondy Bazaar

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  ?Pondy Bazaar
Chennai • Tamil Nadu • India
Coordinates: 13°02′26″N 80°14′24″E / 13.04043, 80.23997
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Chennai District
Planning Agency CMDA
Civic agency Chennai Corporation
Website: Chennai District website

Coordinates: 13°02′26″N 80°14′24″E / 13.04043, 80.23997

Pondy Bazaar is a market located on Theyagaraya Road, in T.Nagar, in southern Chennai, India. It is an important commercial hub of South Chennai. Commodities are available in different price ranges here.

Contents

[edit] Eateries

Pondy Bazaar has eateries aimed at all customer profiles. Important eateries include:

  • Hotel Saravana Bhavan: A branch of this famous multi-city chain restaurant is located towards the end of Pondy Bazaar near Panagal Park.
  • Hot Chips: A branch of this Chennai chain restaurant is located near Saravana Bhavan.
  • Shri Balaajee Bhavan: A branch of this Chennai chain restaurant is located at 66/90, Pondy Bazaar. It has been operational under the new name from 6 May, 1992. The restaurant was earlier called Shantha Bhavan in the 80s.
  • Geetha Cafe: This is another old restaurant located about 100m from Balaajee Bhavan.
  • Kai Yenthi Bhavan: This is located in front of Brilliant Tutorials, just off Pondy Bazaar Road.
  • Adyar Ananda Bhavan: A branch of this Chennai chain is located in Pondy Bazaar.
  • Pelita Nasi Kandar: A branch of this international chain of Malaysian food restaurants is located on the eastern edge of Pondy Bazaar, near the Dr. Nair Road intersection.
  • Murugan Idli Kadai: Three branches of this popular restaurant chain are in the area just around Pondy Bazaar. One is located on G. N. Chetty Road just northeast of Panagal Park, one is located up North Usman Road, and one is off South Usman Road. Their specialties are idli and onion uttappam.
  • Ratna Cafe: A recent addition to the fame of T.Nagar, this restaurant located at Venkatnarayana Road, Next to Thirumala Tirupathi Devastanam, has quickly earned the reputation for its ever growing famous "Sambar Idli" (puffed rice cake dipped in a savory curry).

Apart from this, there are in-house restaurants at hotels located at the edge of Pondy Bazaar.

[edit] Commodities

A flower vendor in Pondy Bazaar
A flower vendor in Pondy Bazaar
The famous Rathna stores
The famous Rathna stores

Saravana Stores is one of the biggest commercial stores in Chennai. Commodities from safety pins to Gold and Diamond jewellery are available there.

Rathna Stores has a big branch in Pondy Bazaar, where commodities ranging from umbrellas to cooking utensils are available at low prices. The shop has five floors.

Other stores include Ponni stores.

Rathna Fan House (not to be confused with Rathna Stores) is a place for electrical accessories such as fans, air-conditioners, and refrigerators.

[edit] Roadside vendors

Most necessary commodities such as buckets, ropes, soap cases, hair bands, bangles, bags and other accessories are available from roadside vendors at Pondy Bazaar.

[edit] Hotels

At the eastern edge of Pondy Bazaar, two important hotels are located: GRT Grand Days and Residency Towers.

[edit] Transport

Theyagaraya Road, which is the arterial road of Pondy Bazaar, suffers from a problem of slow-moving traffic. To ease the traffic, the MTC has diverted buses going to T. Nagar bus terminus, that earlier used to go via Pondy Bazaar, via the Thanikachalam Road-Burkit Road route. For some routes, such as the 47s and 11s, the same bus route occasionally goes via Pondy Bazaar and occasionally via the diversion.

Private vehicles headed for the T. Nagar bus terminus or for Anna Salai (Saidapet and beyond) are also strongly encouraged to either use the Thanikachalam Road route or Boag Road, rather than the Pondy Bazaar route (especially during rush hours).

Important bus stops in Pondy Bazaar include:

  • Pondy Bazaar bus stop.
  • Panagal Park bus stop, that is at the western edge of Pondy Bazaar.
  • Power House bus stop on Dr. Nair Road, somewhat off Pondy Bazaar.
  • Boag Road bus stop in front of Residency Towers