The workmanship aside, much of the fabric that the clothes-makers use comes from Mangaldas Market — a wholesale cloth market in south Mumbai. A trip there is no less fascinating than a discovery trail.

Located near Crawford Market, in the narrow lane next to Jama Masjid, are two inconspicuous entrances to this massive indoor textile market, spread over nearly a square kilometre. Once inside, you may feel akin to the contestants of the erstwhile show, Crystal Maze, as lane after narrow lane houses innumerable shops or galas.

A beautiful sight receives you, especially if you have a weakness for clothes — colourful fabrics of various textures and designs stacked up to the ceiling on each other in shop after shop, even as the storekeepers watch on, in no hurry for a customer. After all, big business happens over here as Mumbai-based retailers and traders from neighbouring cities visit regularly for bulk orders.

But it’s a layman who would consider it paradise. Everything from saris, dress materials, suit lengths, plain fabrics, accessories and even embellishments — of all kinds of qualities — are available, priced at up to 40 per cent less than the retail price at shops outside these premises.

It’s common to spot brides-to-be with mothers and other relatives in tow, here to shop for their trousseau, spending hours at these galas, looking at reams and checking hundreds of dress materials to choose a handful.

You merely need to point at something you like and the salesman will bring out at least half-a-dozen similar cloth materials, mercilessly laying them out on the white sheets that cover the raised floor of their galas.

But the shrewd businessmen know a real shopper from a mere visitor. You will be ignored even if they don’t have any other clients to cater to if they don’t see a business prospect in you. But if you’re a real customer, the shopping experience is supplemented with tea, cold drinks and even some nashta from the nearby fast-food snack.

Mangaldas Market may resemble a maze but it’s tough to get lost here — all you need to do to find your way to any store is to tell them the name of the store or the gala number and you’ll be directed to your destination.

The sights and sounds are so overwhelming that one feels hypnotised and tends to get carried away, oblivious to all and watching the activities around this market, that seems an ecosystem in itself.