I purchased a shower panel from home bazaar, a division of Big Bazaar, about 6 months back at about Rs. 16000/-.

The display of products is attractively arranged at B.B. store at Centre One Mall at Mumbai Central. Some 8 to 10 shower panels were on display, but no product leaflet, information was available, the salesman told me that they are of very good quality (without knowing anything about the panel) and they are made by Big Bazaar at their own factory. However, later a Sardarji came who told me that he had imported them from China, is a main distributor of these panels and sales it to B.B. and advised me on selection of a panel that suited my purpose. Since insufficient information is available in the market I am writing this review for those who are interested in buying it.

These shower panels (I shall refer to as panels), are fitted in bath room, a small bath room of 4feet x 5 feet will suffice, but 4feet by 8feet and above will be more suitable. You have to locate the panel in such a way that it does not face wooden door/fixtures and electrical outlets (so that water jet does not spoil them).

The one that I have purchased (See Picture) has

1- One spout at the bottom [for washing feet or filling bucket],

2- Three spouts in the body (vertically in line) [for shoulder to thighs], these further have three settings {mist-aerated water, jet-slightly divergent small jets, massage-3 dancing jets give you massage shower-this is achieved by small blue rubber beads which continuously turn inside small spherical projections.}

3- One overhead rain shower (with tilting head) giving water spray

4- One Hand held shower with three settings (smooth aerated flow, mist, jets).

There is a knob at the side which allows you to select any one of the above four.

There is another knob at the side which starts cold water flow and on further turning warm and then hot water flow.

The panel requires input of cold and hot water. The hot water cannot be from small geyser but from 10-15 liters storage heater. 15 liter 2-Kilowatt horizontal heater is ideal.

The panel is hung on 2 screws drilled in the wall, it is easy to fit and remove.

My panel is anodized Aluminum and wont get corroded, fiber glass cheap panel are available but are liable to scratches, Stainless steel German made panel are very costly.

Since the family members differ in height, it is difficult to adjust the height of the panel, because the body jet that hits one member in shoulder will hit another in chest. For this, think properly before adjusting the height of the panel on wall. Of course there are panels with adjustable body jets but they are that much more costly.

Most of the jet bodies are self cleaning, you rub the tip of the finger on rubber beads and they are cleaned.

The water height (head) required for operation is about 30 feet. This means if you are staying on 2nd floor you need water tank on terrace above 4th floor (at least). In other words between your floor and terrace tank there should be at least 2 floors in-between. The unit will not work on loft tank fitted inside your bathroom. For this you need a pump (auto stopping when you shut water supply) which would cost you about 20000 Rs.

Most of the panels cost from 5000 to 50,000 Rs, but I would say one costing about 15000 to 20000 Rs. will suit most of you. Some of the panels have shelf for keeping shampoos etc. and mirror. The enclosures for the shower panels (if you require) costs aboout 7000 to 15000 Rs.

Lastly no showroom is likely to give you demonstration of water jets. Hence see these at other places in working condition and get acquainted with different jets before buying.

Enjoy your shower bath.