Bengaluru | Aug 06, 2025 : Bengaluru, the city famed for marrying tradition with technology, has struck again, this time, with a saree shop using a ChatGPT-style prompt as its latest marketing gimmick. The result? A viral sensation that’s being celebrated as a fresh take on digital advertising, true to the spirit of India’s tech capital.

An image of the store’s clever mobile display was shared on X (formerly Twitter), capturing the attention of thousands. The display mimics a ChatGPT-style mobile interface, with the prompt: “Why is Varamahalakshmi festival celebrated?”—a clever nod to the upcoming festival on August 8, when saree shopping traditionally hits a festive high across South India.

The ad quickly caught fire online, with users calling it a “Bengaluru thing” and praising its uniquely innovative yet culturally rooted approach. “Local saree shop in Bangalore using ChatGPT mobile interface for an ad is a first. Earlier it would be the Google search bar design. Just Bangalore things I guess,” one X user commented, sharing the now-viral photo.

What makes this marketing even more interesting is the reported fintech integration at the store. According to another post, the saree shop offers a “pay for 11 months, get 1 month free” scheme—bringing EMI-style flexibility to saree lovers and encouraging more indulgent festive shopping.

Social media was quick to draw parallels with another recent viral moment from the city: an auto driver spotted listening to a Naval Ravikant podcast while navigating Bengaluru’s notoriously chaotic traffic. Like that moment, this one too was dubbed “peak Bengaluru”—a perfect blend of intellect, hustle, and everyday innovation.

“It’s moments like these that remind you of why Bengaluru stands apart. You don’t just get a saree here, you get a slice of smart culture with it,” wrote another user.

The creative ad comes at a time when traditional retail outlets are increasingly turning to modern marketing tools to compete with online platforms. By blending a futuristic interface with a time-honored festival and offering modern payment schemes, this saree store has not only drawn attention but also rewritten the playbook for small business advertising.

As one user summed it up, “Only in Bengaluru can a saree shop and an auto driver both go viral for their tech-savvy flair.”