Chandni Chowk




Quick Facts

  • Location: Chandni Chowk is located in Old Delhi on Netaji Subhash Marg and many famous tourist destinations are nearby. It is opposite to the Lahore Gate of Red Fort.
  • Built by: Chandni Chowk was designed by the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan, Princess Jahanara in 1650 A.D.
  • Nature and Architectural style: Chandni Chowk was initially designed in a square with a pool in between. The shops were set up in a half moon pattern.
  • Timings: The market is open daily from 10 am to 7pm. However, it is advised not to go there on Sundays because it becomes too crowded.
  • Admission charges: Entry to the Bazaar is free.

About Chandni Chowk

Being one of the oldest markets in Delhi, you can find anything and everything in the market including food, clothes and jewelries. The market is as old as the Mughal dynasty in India and is said to be a paradise for those who love to shop. If you have not paid a visit to Chandni Chowk ever, despite being in Delhi, then your trip has no value at all.

Chandni Chowk used to be the heart for all the commercial activities in Mughal times. All the localities of Delhi were dependent upon the market and there was a section, which was exclusively meant for the courtesans and the nobles. The popularity of the market is still not taken away by the air-conditioned malls because the quality and variety of products you get there is unmatchable. The wholesale shops make the products cheaper as well which attracts many people towards it.

The market is crowded with shoppers during the festive times irrespective of which festival it is. Products related to all the religious proceedings are available in the market, which attracts people during the festival times. The roadside food is the most popular of all and one cannot avoid. People find it difficult to resist it if they have had it once. There is an entire lane, which is dedicated to food and is known as Paranthewali Gali. Chatwallah, Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, Haldiram’s, and Ghante Wala Halwai are the most popular eating joints that are found in Chandni Chowk.

How to Reach Chandni Chowk

It is necessary for the tourists to visit Chandni Chowk when they visit Delhi. Several ways can take them to the market place. One can easily find local buses, which are found at various points in the city who will take you to Chandni Chowk. Auto rickshaws and taxis can also be taken in order to reach the market place.

Attractions near Chandni Chowk

Lake Gate (Lahore Gate)

Also known as, Lahore gate, because of its direction towards west, where Lahore is, the lake gate is the main entrance of Red Fort. The gate is semi octagonal shape and is decorated very beautifully by towers. There is a covered passage gate near the gate, which is also known as Chatta chowk, which is also known as Meena Bazaar.

Royal Baths

Next to Diwan-i-Khaas, the Hammams is made where they have three rooms with domes on top of it along with a fountain, which is at its center. There is a Pearl Mosque which is called Moti Masjid and it is enclosed to Chandni Chowk. The Royal Baths is next to the mosque and Aurangzeb has built it in 1659.

Coronation Durbar Site

You can also find a desolated obelisk which stands alone in the field. This is the place where darbars used to be enacted in 1877 and in 1903. In 1911, King George V was declared the ruler of India on this site.

Feroz Shah Kotla

Feroz Shah Kotla was once said to be the capital of Tughlaq and was the fifth city of Delhi. You can find the ruins of the city between Old and New Delhi at Bahadur Shah Jafar Marg. You can also find an Ashoka Pillar which is 13 meters high and is made up of sandstone.

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is situated n the riverbank of Yamuna, which was also the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. A simple Samadhi can be found there which signifies his simple life and character. The last words of Mahatma Gandhi are inscribed in a simple black marble, which says, “Hey Ram.”

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is the largest Indian Mosque and is just half a kilometer away from Red Fort. Jama means Friday and is of great importance for the Muslims. The original name of Jama Masjid is Masjid-i-Jahannuma, which means, a mosque offering the view of the world and is the last building built during the Shah Jahan Rule.

Shopping in Chandni Chowk

Situated in the old part of Delhi, Chandni Chowk is one of the main shopping places in Delhi and is best when bulk things are to be bought. It is a paradise for the shopaholics because you can find everything there from books to clothes and religious items. The prices of the things are also reasonable and are the best place to be when you feel like shopping.

The ancient touch in the market can easily be seen in the market because it has its origin in the Mughal times. The daughter of Shah Jahan designed the market during his rule.

Several markets can be found inside Chandni Chowk like:

  • Nai Sarak, where one can find stationeries, books and musical instruments.
  • The cloth market, which is also known as Kapda Bazaar where textiles are sold.
  • Kinari Bazaar or Dariba where you can find jewelry made of precious stones, diamonds, gold etc.
  • There is a market for medical equipments and allopathic medicines known as Bhagirath Palace.
  • One can find shoe shops and opticians in Ballimaran.
  • Stationeries, papers, printers, cards and musical instruments are found in the Chawri Bazaar.
  • Kinari Bazaar has the hub for Zardozi items.
  • There is a cycle market that has cycles and photographs.
  • The flea market sells antique items and you can bargain well and get the item for the best price there.
  • Electrical Goods can be found in Lajpat Rai market.
  • The Moti Bazaar in Chandni Chowk sells pearls and shawls.
  • One can buy chemicals from Tilak Bazaar.
  • Khari Baoli has grocery items like grains, spices, pulses along with dry fruits.

Food Joints in Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk market has anything you can think of, from stationary, electrical gods to medical equipments and textile. Apart from that, you can find several food joints with finger licking food all around which can drive you crazy. The food has been an integral part of Chandni Chowk even before India got independence. It is said that if a person has not tasted the food of Chandni Chowk despite being a resident of Delhi, then you do not ‘belong’ to Delhi. Moreover, for the tourists, the visit said to be a waste if the food is not tasted. The list of the best places to eat in Chandni Chowk is mentioned below.

Paranthe Wali Gali

Chandni Chowk’s Paranthe wali Gali is the most famous food lane of Delhi. The residents of Delhi cannot miss the food and have obviously eaten it at least once. The tourists also ensure that they get the taste of Paranthe wali gali when they come down to Delhi.

Ghantewala Halwai

It was in 1790 that Ghantewala Halwai started his shop and he has been selling sweets ever since. It is one of the oldest sweet shops in India. The shop initially sold Mishri Mawa that is Rajasthani sweet, which is his trademark right now and he sells forty-five varieties of this sweet. Pista Barfi, Sohan Halwa, Motichoor Ke Ladoo, and Makhan Choora are his specialties.

Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle

The most famous shop in Chandni Chowk is Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle and you can find it all jam packed at all times. It was in 1940 that the shop was started and it sold Aloo tikkis, which were stuffed with moong dal and even dry fruits. The shop also sold dahi bhallas that were very popular.

Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbhajiwalla

This shop was established in the mid 19th century and it sold sweets and snacks made of pure ghee ever since. The most famous products they offer include Dal Moth, samosas, Aloo ka Lachha, and kachoris. The Malpua, ladoos, and paneer ki Jalebi are also very famous. This shop is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm and one can enjoy the food it sells.

Gianiji ka Falooda

Since the summers of Delhi are harsh on the people, Rabri Faluda comes out to be a great relief especially when it is from Gianiji ka Falooda in Chandni Chowk. Dal ka Halwa is another very famous dish that is sold in the shop along with Gajar ka Halwa, which is prepared during winters.

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