Chandni Chowk Market guide – Tips, Tricks, and Must-Visit Shops

Chandni Chowk Market guide – Tips, Tricks, and Must-Visit Shops

If you have a quintessential shopper and a foodie in you, you must have heard about Chandni Chowk. Delhi ‘s oldest and busiest market is a delight for someone who knows the art of shopping. Chandni Chowk Market shopping guide with our insider tips, discover hidden gems, and food in find the bargains in Delhi oldest market

You want to buy a saree or a piece of crockery, you want to buy the authentic Indian spices or some exclusive dry fruits, has to be your go-to place if you are in town.

Only because has something to offer to everyone, it is a chaotic place. There are days when you may not even find place to walk on the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk. BUT the charm that Chandni Chowk carries is like no other place.

This old market has retained its charm and historic value over the year. It was built in the 17th century by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, opposite Lal Quila and close to Fatehpuri Mosque.

There is a rather interesting story scribe in the history on how the place got its name. There was a pool at the Centre of place, that reflect the moon. Hence, it was name as Chandni Chowk or Moonlight Square.

Chandni Chowk is a shopper’s paradise in true sense. The narrow streets of Chandni Chowk have shops that are struggling for space. However, shopping at Chandni Chowk is different level of fun.

The kind of variety you get there is unmatchable and that too, at the most reasonable prices. The market is divid into several narrow streets where one can get variety of clothes, jewelry, candles, perfumes, lifestyle items, etc.

Chandni Chowk (market) History

Chandni Chowk’s history dates back to the 17th century. It was establish by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter Jahan Ara Begum in 1650 CE. The market originally had 1560 shops and was spread over an area which was 40 yards wide and 1520 yards long.

A pool was create to render elegance at the Centre of this square shape market. The pool’s shimmering in the moonlight was a sight to watch out for. This is exactly where the place got its name.

The shops originally were built in a half-moon shape pattern, which doesn’t exist anymore after centuries. The Chandni Chowk bazaar was famous for the silver merchants who use to trade in the market.

The pool at the Centre of the market was replace by a clock tower, also known as Ghanta Ghar, by the 1950s. Ghanta ghar is now officially referred to as the Centre of the market.

It was one of the grandest market of the country. The Mughal Imperial processions use to pass through this market until 1903, when the Delhi Durbar was organize.

Chandni Chowk is spread between the Red Fort and Lahori gate of Fatehpuri Mosque. In the old times, a canal ran through the middle of the street connecting the two places. The bazaar was divide into three sections: Urdu Bazaar, Johari Bazaar and Fatehpuri Bazaar.

  • Urdu Bazaar:

The area between Lahori gate to Chowk Kotwali near Gurudwara Shish Ganj was call the Urdu Bazaar. Infact, Mirza Ghalib name the language after being inspire by this bazaar itself.

      • Johari Bazaar:

    From Chowk Kotwali to Chandni Chowk was the area of Johari Bazaar. Here Chandni Chowk refers to the square where the reflecting pool was create.

    • Fatehpuri Bazaar:

The area between Chandni Chowk to Fatehpuri Masjid was term as Fatehpuri Bazaar.

Inside the Chandni Chowk If you are planning to visit and experience Chandni Chowk, you need at least a day’s time of your travel schedule. And you will find the place totally worth it.

Besides being a huge market, it has places of religious and historical significance too. Here are some of the religious places that attract devotees all the year round:
        • Jama Masjid: Delhi’s most famous Jama Masjid is of extreme importance for the followers of Islam faith. It was built in 1650 in the vicinity of Chandni Chowk.
        • Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir: As the name suggests, the temple was built for the followers of Jainism in the year 1656. A bird hospital was built along with the temple in 1929.
        • Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib: This Gurudwara depicts the victory of good over evil. Guru Teg Bahadur, the 9th Sikh Guru and some of his followers including Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Dyal Das and Bhai Sati Das were execute by the Mughals in the year 1675. After capturing Delhi, which was the Mughal capital then, the Khalsa built the Gurudwara as a memorial in 1783.
        • Sunehri Masjid: Sunehri Masjid was built in 1721 in the reign of Muhammad Shah. It is believe that Nadar Shah, the Persian invader had spent several hours on top of the mosque to watch the execution of mass killing that he had order. As many as 30,000 people were kill in that katl-e-aam.
        • Fatehpuri Masjid: This mosque in was built by Fatehpuri begum, one of the queens of Shah Jahan.
        • Havelis:

    As much as is famous for its shops, eateries and religious and historical monuments, it is popular for its havelis too. Begum Shamru’s palace built in 1806 is now known as Bhagirath palace.

Some of the prominent havelis of Chandni Chowk include Khazanchi Haveli, haveli of Mirza Ghalib, Chunnamal Haveli, Haveli Naharwali, Haveli Dharmpura and Haveli Banarasi Bhavan.

Shops:

If Chandni Chowk was a person, its shops would have been its soul. houses shops of all kinds. People fond of traditional Indian dresses must travel through the lanes and by-lanes of Chandni Chowk. The cloth market supplies men, women and kids wear along with home furnishings, which are ready-made as well as design services.

There are hundreds of shops selling sarees, suits and lehengas, and the beauty is that each shop has its uniqueness in terms of the collection and the customer it attracts.

Arun Vastra Bhandar is one of the most popular shops of Chandni Chowk. It is a multistory shop that has hundreds of customers crowding the place almost throughout the day. You will find all kinds of sarees, suits and Lehengas in the shop, at a relatively affordable price.

Shopping Destinations in Chandni Chowk

Shopping in offers a staggering range of goodies ranging from books, clothes, electronics, shoes, leather and consumer goods.

Walking along this jostling street can get quite intimidating, so be prepare to get stun. Each area of Chandni Chowk has different markets, which are known for various things.

Nai Sadak

Nai Sadak is mainly known for books and stationery items. It is perfect for the students and bibliomaniacs who will find everything they need here, ranging from books for competitive exams to second-hand college textbooks, fiction novels and even Hindi fiction and non-fiction.

Dariba Kalan

Dariba Kalan is known for jewellery, especially silver and gold items. The highlight here is the availability of hand-crafted jewellery.

The best part about shopping at this market is the cost of the items is usually around 25% less than the other markets. You will also find Kundan and minakari jewellery here, along with shops selling perfumes and oils.

Chawri Bazar

Chawri Bazar is your go-to place if you are looking to get wedding cards print in bulk. It specializes in the sale of paper products. You will find all kinds of wedding cards here – simple and subtle to fancy and extravagant.

Kinari Bazar
Kinari Bazar is a haven for your wedding shopping. It is a narrow lane know for selling the best zardozi items such as laces and frills. Apart from this, you will also find Parsi borders, motifs, ribbon laces and all the embellishments for your wedding lehenga.
Bhagirath Palace
This is Asia’s largest wholesale market for electrical and electronic items. Right from simple light fixtures to fancy decorative lamps, you will find everything you need to decorate your home. That too at dirt cheap prices!
Ballimaran Market
This market is known for selling shoes at affordable prices. Chandni Chowk market guide There are all kinds of shoes available here, ranging from formal shoes to dress shoes.
You will also find a lot of opticians here, though don’t depend on their eye testing skills. So You can find a huge variety of frames and sunglasses at a throwaway price.
Chor Bazaar

Chor Bazaar is one of the biggest thrift markets in the city and offers things like Books, clothes, shoes, gym equipment, camera, stationery and antiques, you name it, and they have it.

There are plenty of other markets in Chandi Chowk selling various knick-knacks:
  • Khari Baoli is a street dedicate to spices, nuts, herbs and dried fruits. Chandni Chowk market guide Locate at the western end of Chandni Chowk, there is no spice that you won’t find here.
  • Fatehpuri Market is a wholesale trade market for khoya and paneer. You will also find plenty of eateries here.
  • Kucha Choudhary Market is also know as the photo market. You so can get all types of cameras and its accessory at every corner of this market.
  • Katra Neel is the wholesale market for all kinds of clothes</em>. The first franchise of and Raymond from Old Delhi is also locate here. There are plenty of shops selling sarees, lehenga, salwar suits and men’s wear.
  • Moti Bazar is know for shawls in a myriad of design, colour, Chandni Chowk market guide style and type so of wool. It is call as the Moti Bazar as it specializes in the sale and purchase of pearls.
Eateries:

If you come to Chandni Chowk shopping hidden gems and don’t try the eateries here, your experience is incomplete. It is a home to some of the very popular restaurants and confectionaries. Because food in Chandni Chowk The Ghante wala halwai, that was establish in 1790 is still there, and serving to its loyal customers.

Natraj’s Dahi Bhalla, establish in 1940 still entice the taste buds of visitors. The jalebi wala serves the best jalebis in town, while the chaat wala, that was establish in 1923, is still famous for its fruit chaat. Moreover, The Rasmalai of Bikaner Sweet Shop and the Rabri Falooda of Gianiji Ka Falooda are still world class, even after decades.

After that The variety of parathas, that the food in Chandni Chowk Parathe waali gali offers is huge. From Aam ka paratha to bhindi ka paratha, you may end up hearing names that you may never have imagine. Although Parathe Waali Gali is a narrow lane of Chandni Chowk, it remains crowd almost throughout the day.

Chandni Chowk shopping

Fourthly The Ghee Patisa of Chainaram Halwai, established in 1948, is still unmatchable. People flock during winters for this delicacy around the shop. Similarly and The Kulhad Waale Chole Chawal of Gol Hatti are famous right from the year 1954, when the shop was establish.

How to Reach Chandni Chowk

The best way to reach Chandni Chowk is to take the Delhi Metro and get down at Chandni Chowk shopping Metro Station. Because You can either get down at the Chandni Chowk market guide Road or go to the Old Delhi Railway Station end.

So, you can hire an auto rickshaw or an E-rickshaw from either food in Chandni Chowk end to reach the desire market. You can also opt to walk. However, it is better to save the energy for all the walking require in exploring the place.

If you are travelling to You will find a parking space at the entrance of the Old Delhi Railway Station. Alternatively, you can also opt to travel by bus. So, Darya Ganj bus stop is the most accessible stop to reach Chandni Chowk. Buses regularly run from Darya Gunj to Chandi Chowk. Similarly If you wish to avoid the crowd buses, and you can hire a cab and get down.

Things to do in Chandni Chowk

Tips For Visiting Chandni Chowk

1. Carry plenty of water as the long walk through the chaotic streets can get very tiring.

2. Photography is not allow at many of the shops in the Market guide with our insider tips. Discover hidden gems, and food in Chandni Chowk find the bargains in Chandni Chowk shopping Delhi oldest market as the owners are worried that the customers copy their designs. So, take permission before clicking a picture.

3. Most of the shops require you to step food in Chandni Chowk inside without footwear. So, it is recommend wearing a sandal which is easy to remove.

4. Pay particular attention to your belongings after that and wallet while roaming through Chandni Chowk.

5. Beware of duplicate products and touts.6. Don’t forget to bargain. You will get the food in Chandni Chowk best deals here on the choice of your product.

Safety and Etiquette

Chandni Chowk shopping hidden gems will sense. Expect a big dose of culture shock! Wear comfortable shoes, dress conservatively, and prepare to walk a lot. Meanwhile Women will Chandni Chowk shopping find it useful to carry a scarf, especially if visiting mosques.

  • Firstly Access to Google Maps Chandni Chowk hidden gems food in Chandni Chowk Shopping Market guide with our insider tips, discover hidden gems, and food in Chandni Chowk find the bargains in Delhi oldest Chandni Chowk market guide on your cell phone will be invaluable for navigating your way around. Don’t be afraid to stop and ask for directions as well.
  • Secondly Pickpockets operate in the area, so take extra care food in to keep your belongings safe and secure.
  • When shopping, haggle with vendors to so get the best price. However, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fake products are widely sell.
  • Lastly, try to go but with the flow and simply soak up the frenetic atmosphere.
Visited 466 times, 1 visit(s) today