Laxmi Road

The old city's shopping artery, running a straight kilometre through the Peths, the old quarters, past saree houses stacked with Paithani and ethnic wear, heritage gold jewellers, footwear and fabric shops. This is still where Puneri families come for a wedding trousseau, and prices and authenticity generally beat the mall boutiques. Most shops open around 10 am and close by 9 pm, and many prefer cash. Weekday mornings are the sane version; in the Diwali season the whole street turns into a decorated crush that is worth seeing on its own terms.

Wedding-grade sarees and gold the way Pune has always bought them