That's what architect and author of Alice in Bhuleshwar, Kaiwan Mehta told us. And since the genial Parsi from South Mumbai is incapable of being brusque, it was actually an invitation to a guided tour through one of Mumbai's most frenzied mazes

You can't run out of reasons to visit Bhuleshwar pick up sarees and fabrics at rockbottom wholesale rates from Mulji Jetha Market, buy utensils of quaint shapes and all sizes from Pydhonie, or sample authentic Gujarati and Marwari fare at tiny eateries that dot the area. But author-architect Kaiwan Mehta had no bargain-hunting reason to head here. He was simply bewildered by the architectural range the area sported. And gradually, his probe into the crumbling facades, sprawling courtyards of wadis, baugs and nagars led to a revelation of cultures, local history and personal stories. All of it gets packed and published in Alice in Bhuleshwar: Navigating a Mumbai Neighbourhood, the latest book from Yoda Press to hit the market.

Architect and author of Alice in Bhuleshwar, Kaiwan Mehta takes a walk through the chaotic alleys that characterise the Bhuleshwar. Pics/Bipin Kokate

Opium den where the intoxicant was yours for a few annas: A howdah-holding elephant, as high as the entire first floor of the building, marks the entrance to Bhangwadi. This is where the opium trade in the city flourished. You could buy a bowlful of opium for a few annas. It's quite pointless heading here to buy the contraband any more. The opium stores have given way to medical agencies. Bhangwadi was also the last theatre where plays were performed before the closing down of city playhouses during the plague outbreak in the late nineteenth century. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Thanks for coming, Steve› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT