Explore Chickpete ward of Bengaluru , the vibrant shopping destination

Chickpete is one of the oldest and most vibrant wards in Bengaluru, Karnataka. It is a part of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the municipal corporation that administers the city. Chickpete ward covers an area of about 1.5 square kilometers and has a population of about 53,000 people. The ward is located in the heart of the city and is surrounded by other prominent wards such as Nagarathpete, Cottonpete, Cubbonpete, and Akkipete.

Chickpete is a place that showcases the rich history and culture of Bengaluru. It has many historical and religious landmarks, such as Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Kote Venkataramana Temple, Bangalore Fort, and Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. It is also a place that offers a variety of shopping and eating options, such as silk sarees, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, electronics, street food, and restaurants. Chickpete is a place that reflects the diversity and harmony of Bengaluru, as it is home to various communities and cultures, such as Marwaris, Tamils, Telugus, Muslims, and Kannadigas.

How it got its name

The name Chickpete literally means “small market” in Kannada, the local language of Karnataka. The word “chick” means small and “pete” means market. The area was named so because it was one of the many small markets that were established by Kempegowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, in the 16th century. Kempegowda I was a feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire and he built a mud fort around the city and divided it into several petes or markets. Each pete had its own specialty and identity.

Chickpete was also known as Chikkaballapura Pete, after the town of Chikkaballapura, which was the headquarters of Kempegowda’s feudatory. Chikkaballapura was also the birthplace of Kempegowda I. The name Chikkaballapura Pete was later shortened to Chickpete.

What it is popularly known for

Chickpete is one of the oldest and busiest commercial areas in Bengaluru. It is famous for its wholesale and retail cloth shops, especially silk sarees. The area has a long tradition of silk weaving and trading that dates back to the 18th century. The silk sarees from Chickpete are known for their quality, variety, and affordability. Some of the famous silk sarees from Chickpete are Mysore silk, Bangalore silk, Kanjeevaram silk, Banarasi silk, and Paithani silk.

The area is also known for its silver and gold jewellery shops, as well as other traditional items such as brassware, copperware, pottery, and spices. The jewellery shops in Chickpete offer a wide range of designs and styles that cater to different tastes and budgets. Some of the popular jewellery items from Chickpete are bangles, necklaces, earrings, rings, anklets, and nose pins.

Chickpete is a hub for various communities and cultures that have coexisted here for centuries. The area has many temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, and other places of worship that reflect the religious diversity of Bengaluru. The area also has many schools, colleges, hospitals, banks, hotels, cinemas, and other facilities that cater to the needs of the residents and visitors.

Historic significance

Chickpete has been a part of the history and culture of Bengaluru since its inception. It was here that the first municipal corporation of the city was formed in 1862. The corporation was headed by Sir K Seshadri Iyer, the then Dewan of Mysore State. The corporation was responsible for providing civic amenities such as water supply, drainage, sanitation, roads, and street lights to the city.

Chickpete was also the site of many historic events and movements that shaped the destiny of Bengaluru and India. Some of these are:

• The Mysore-Bangalore Railway line: This was the first railway line in South India that connected Mysore with Bangalore in 1882. The line was inaugurated by Sir M Visvesvaraya, the then Chief Engineer of Mysore State. The line boosted the trade and commerce of Bengaluru and also facilitated the movement of people and goods.
• The plague epidemic: This was a deadly outbreak of bubonic plague that hit Bengaluru in 1898. The epidemic killed thousands of people and caused panic and chaos in the city. The epidemic also led to the establishment of the Plague Committee, which implemented various measures to control the spread of the disease and improve the hygiene and sanitation of the city. The committee was headed by Sir P N Krishnamurti, the then Commissioner of Bangalore.
• The freedom struggle: This was a series of protests and movements that took place in Bengaluru against the British colonial rule in India in 1942. The protests were part of the Quit India Movement, which was launched by Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Indian National Congress. The protests were met with brutal repression by the British authorities, who arrested and jailed many freedom fighters and activists. Some of the prominent leaders who participated in the protests were K C Reddy, H C Dasappa, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, T S Venkataramaiah, and N S Hardikar.

Chickpete has witnessed the transformation of Bengaluru from a small town to a cosmopolitan city, while retaining its heritage and charm. The area has adapted to the changes and challenges of modernity, without losing its identity and character.

 

Some of the popular layouts in this ward

Chickpete ward consists of several sub-localities and layouts, such as Akkipete, Balepete, Cottonpete, Cubbonpete, Dodpete, Kilari Road, Nagarathpete, Ragipete, Sultanpete, and Thigalarapete. Each of these layouts has its own specialty and identity. For example:

• Akkipete: This is a layout that is known for its electrical goods, such as lights, fans, wires, switches, batteries, etc. The layout has many shops that sell these items at wholesale and retail prices. The layout is also famous for its Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, which attract thousands of devotees every year.
• Balepete: This is a layout that is known for its bangles and jewellery shops. The layout has a long history of bangle making and trading that dates back to the 17th century. The layout has many shops that offer a variety of bangles made from different materials such as glass, metal, plastic, wood, and lacquer. The layout is also known for its Durga Puja celebrations, which are organized by the Bengali community every year.
• Cottonpete: This is a layout that is known for its textiles and garments shops. The layout has a large number of shops that sell sarees, dress materials, ready-made clothes, and accessories at affordable prices. The layout is also known for its Ramanavami celebrations, which are organized by the Madhwa Brahmin community every year.
• Cubbonpete: This is a layout that is known for its stationery and books shops. The layout has many shops that sell notebooks, pens, pencils, papers, and other stationery items at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many bookstores that sell textbooks, novels, magazines, and newspapers in various languages such as Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
• Dodpete: This is a layout that is known for its dry fruits and nuts shops. The layout has many shops that sell almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, dates, figs, raisins, and other dry fruits and nuts at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many sweet shops that sell delicacies made from these items such as halwa, barfi, laddu, and peda.
• Kilari Road: This is a road that is known for its grains and pulses shops. The road has many shops that sell rice, wheat, ragi, jowar, bajra, maize, and other grains and pulses at wholesale and retail prices. The road also has many spice shops that sell chillies, turmeric, coriander, cumin, mustard, fenugreek, and other spices at wholesale and retail prices.
• Nagarathpete: This is a layout that is known for its hardware and tools shops. The layout has many shops that sell nails, screws, bolts, nuts, hammers, pliers, saws, drills, wrenches, and other hardware and tools at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many paint shops that sell paints, varnishes, brushes, and other painting materials at wholesale and retail prices.
• Ragipete: This is a layout that is known for its leather goods and footwear shops. The layout has many shops that sell belts, wallets, bags, jackets, and other leather goods at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many footwear shops that sell shoes, sandals, slippers, and other footwear at wholesale and retail prices.
• Sultanpete: This is a layout that is known for its carpets and rugs shops. The layout has many shops that sell carpets, rugs, mats, cushions, and other floor coverings at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many fabric shops that sell curtains, bed sheets, pillows, and other home furnishings at wholesale and retail prices.
• Thigalarapete: This is a layout that is known for its flowers and garlands shops. The layout has many shops that sell roses, jasmine, marigold, lotus, and other flowers at wholesale and retail prices. The layout also has many garland makers who make garlands of various sizes and shapes for weddings, festivals, and ceremonies.

Spots of interest in this area

Chickpete is home to many historical and religious landmarks that attract tourists and devotees alike. Some of these are:

• Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace: This is a beautiful example of Indo-Islamic architecture that was built by Hyder Ali in 1781 and used by his son Tipu Sultan as his summer residence. The palace has a museum that displays various artefacts related to Tipu Sultan’s life and reign, such as his sword, clothes, coins, paintings, and letters. The palace also has a garden that has fountains, ponds, and pavilions.
• Kote Venkataramana Temple: This is a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu that was built by Mysore king Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar in 1689. The temple has a Dravidian style gopuram (tower) and a spacious hall with intricate carvings. The temple also has a shrine of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.
• Bangalore Fort: This is a remnant of the original mud fort that was built by Kempegowda I in 1537 and later expanded by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The fort has a Ganapati temple and a dungeon where British officers were imprisoned during the Mysore wars. The fort also has a gallery that exhibits paintings, sculptures, and weapons from the Mysore era.
• KR Market: This is also known as City Market or Krishnarajendra Market, this is one of the largest and oldest markets in Bengaluru that sells a variety of goods such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, meat, fish, poultry, etc. The market also has a heritage building that was constructed in 1928. The building has a clock tower and a dome that are illuminated at night.
• Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple: This is a unique cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that was carved out of a single rock by Kempegowda I. The temple is famous for its monolithic sculptures of Nandi (bull), Shiva’s mount, and Agni (fire god). The temple also witnesses a rare phenomenon on Makara Sankranti (January 14 or 15) when the sun rays pass through the horns of Nandi and illuminate the Shiva linga inside the cave.

Things for must experience in this area

Chickpete offers a variety of experiences that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Bengaluru. Some of these are:

• Shopping: Chickpete is a shopper’s paradise that offers a range of products at affordable prices. Whether it is silk sarees, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, or electronics, one can find everything here. The best time to visit Chickpete is during festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra, and Ugadi, when the area is decorated with lights and flowers and offers special discounts and offers.
• Eating: Chickpete is a foodie’s delight that serves a variety of cuisines and delicacies. From street food such as dosas, idlis, vadas, chaats, and sweets to restaurants that offer North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes, one can find something for every taste and budget here. Some of the popular eateries in Chickpete are Veena Stores, Shivaji Military Hotel, VB Bakery, Anand Sweets, and Kamat Yatri Nivas.
• Exploring: Chickpete is a place that has many stories and secrets to reveal. One can explore the narrow lanes and bylanes of Chickpete and discover the history and culture of the area. One can also visit the various temples and mosques that dot the area and witness the religious harmony and diversity of Bengaluru. Some of the places to explore in Chickpete are Jama Masjid, Dharmaraya Swamy Temple, Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Kashi Vishwanatha Temple, and Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple.

Chickpete is a place that showcases the best of Bengaluru. It is a place that blends the old and the new, the traditional and the modern, the sacred and the secular. It is a place that celebrates the spirit and essence of Bengaluru. It is a place that one must visit and experience.