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Enjoy A Shopping Spree
A visit to Delhi would be incomplete without browsing
through the streets of Chandni Chowk. A very well known market, this was
once visited by merchants from Turkey, China and even Holland. The most
prominent bylanes for shopping in this area are:
Katra Neel
'Katra' was a separate wing for tradesmen and craftsmen in the same
business who lived and worked together. This particular Katra is the cloth
bazaar, comprising of silks, satin, crepe, cotton, muslin and any other
fabric that one can think of.
Bhagirath Palace
Said to be Asia's largest market for electrical goods, it is also known
for medical equipment and allopathic medicines. To local people it is
known as 'Chooriwali ki Haveli' or the Bangle Seller's Palace.
Originally, this place was the mansion of Begum Sumroo, a Kashmiri
'Nautch' girl with the most accomplished band of dancers in her troupe.
The story of her life would actually make a sensational film - a drama of
almost epic scale. This bewitching seductress was not only an accomplished
dancer and singer but a shrewd businesswoman who knew precisely when to
grab an opportunity. She converted herself to Christianity and married two
mercenary European adventurers in succession and it was because of them
that she ultimately became 'Begum' of a principality at Sardhana, near
Meerut.
Kinari Bazaar
Check out this place for any kind of traditional embroidery of zari and
zardozi work. This street has everything an Indian bride could need for
her trousseau.
Dariba Kalan
Once there were rows of jewellers specializing in gold and silver
ornaments situated in this lane. Today a few remain, producing silver
jewellery. Do visit Gulab Singh Johri Mal, a shop established in 1819.
They are well-known manufacturers and exporters of natural 'attars'
(perfumes).
Chhatta Chowk Bazaar :
This 'covered bazaar' dates back to the 17th century, to the days when
ladies used to practise the 'purdah' (veils) very rigorously. Caravan
traders used to lay out their wares in a covered thoroughfare leading up
to the Red Fort and moved away to
allow the ladies to come and make their choice. Things continued like this
till the British turned the fort into a garrison for their troops.
Today the Chhatta Chowk has around forty shops selling artificial and
semi-precious jewellery, embroidered bags, hand painted wall hangings and
fake 'antiques'.
Other Important Bazaars
Ballimaran: For leatherware and shoes.
Old Lajpat Rai Market: For electrical goods
Moti Bazaar: For shawls and pearls
Tilak Bazaar: For chemicals
Nai Sadak: For Books
Venturing Inside The Bazaars:
Shopping in Chandni Chowk is an exhausting experience but an eye-opener
too. It's almost a trip down memory lane with fantastic bargains thrown
in.
The lanes of Chandni Chowk are too narrow for vehicles to pass through,
so it is better to reach Palika Bazaar in Connaught
Place and then take a jeep to Old Delhi. Once there, one can walk it
or hire a cycle-rickshaw.
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