Anything from chairs and tables to utensils, lamps and shamianas are there for the asking, for a ‘small’ price.
In time the shamianas and tents were replaced by buildings - barracks for soldiers and quarters for officers and their families.
Since the hall can seat only about 2,000 guests, the land adjacent to the compound is also being taken on rent to put up shamianas.
Heat, dust and rusty autorickshaws that await the tourist who decides to venture on a local sightseeing are all just part of the show; so are the shamianas erected by the side of the wharf and people selling handicrafts.
One viewer complained that a few select stands had all the facilities: shamianas and carpets and flower pots and bottled drinks on ice.