Golden Rock Shandy is a market square located at Golden Rock, Tiruchirappalli, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Background
The weekly shandy (a local term for a periodic market or fair) was established in 1926 during the British Raj. It was created to supply household essentials to residents of the colony, who were predominantly railway employees and their families living far from the center of Tiruchi city. Initially operating as a farmers' market that supplied only vegetables, it expanded over time as the population grew to include dry goods, wet goods, consumables, metalware, pots, clothing, furniture, meat, fish, poultry, livestock, electronic gadgets, and miscellaneous items.
Schedule
The market's schedule has evolved over time. Initially, it was held every fortnight and on Sundays, coinciding with the twice-monthly cash salary payments to railway employees. When the fortnightly payment system was discontinued and salaries were paid in cash on the third day of each month, the market shifted to those days. In more recent years, with salaries being credited directly into bank accounts, the market has been open only on Sundays.
Legacy
The market square attracts approximately 30,000 visitors from various parts of the district, including BHEL Township, OFT, K. K. Nagar, Ponmalaipatti, Ariyamangalam, Kattur, Melakalkandarkottai, Kilakalkandarkottai, and Kottapattu.
Location
- Coordinates: 10°47′11″N 78°43′38″E
- Opened: 1926 (approximately 100 years ago)
- Developer: British Raj
