Rs 1000 shopping challenge in S M Street, Kozhikode

One of Kerala's most historic trade centres – the SM street was named 'sweetmeat' street after the famous halwa stalls that used to line it. It goes back to the era of Zamorin when the king invited Gujarati sweet-makers to set up shop right outside the palace walls.

The market has over years turned into a shopping hub and affordable women's fashion is what draws maximum footfall here these days. The first half of the street is completely dedicated to women's clothing, footwear and accessories. You can get good quality cotton kurtas for 200 rupees!

You'll see more than just shoppers here. This is a favourite hangout of people of all age groups and no matter how crowded the place gets, it never feels suffocating.

'Midayi Theruvu' is an emotion on its own to the people of Kozhikode.

These days, the town is famous for its cheap and sturdy footwear shops but you won't find a bigger collection anywhere but here.

S M street has even seeped into Malayalam literature and the distinguished one of them all would be S K Pottekkatt's Sahitya Academy award-winning novel. 'Oru Theruvinte Katha' or 'the story of a street' carries with it the essence of this place.

No wonder the people of Kozhikode errected a larger-than-life statue of Pottekkat at the entrance of the market.

And as you near the other end of the street, aroma of the real Kozhikode would surround you – halwa and chips!

The varieties of halwas here are no wonder fascinating, given that the market itself was named after it! There are chilli, tender coconut and the one we got is passion fruit-flavoured. There is too much to choose from so don't end up splurging here if you are on a budget.

But no matter which ones you buy, halwa will be incomplete without banana chips from the Sankaran Bakery that proudly hold the tag of one the oldest bakeries in town as it started in 1932.

With that high amount of carbs, it would do you good to get something healthier and you can get your hands on Nannari sharbat from Coimbatore Ayurveda shop.

Nannari is a root which is a natural coolant with blood-purifying properties.

S M Street also boasts of an elaborate Khadi gram udyog with items not just from different parts of Kerala, but also from around the country.

Whether the long walk through the lanes of S M Street tires you or not, you should not leave without trying the milk sarbath which works as a perfect appetiser for the delicious Kozhikode biryani!