The Chandni Chowk Market in Delhi

Chandni Chowk market

Chandni Chowk market is famous for wholesale shops, for its food and ethnic collection at cheaper rates. Although the market is over crowded. Still this is one of the most visited markets in Delhi. 

Chandni chowk market is famous for its variety, authenticity, food, bridal lehengas, zari and chikan work, sarees and more than 1000 variety of sweets.

Though there are many wholesale shops for Sarees and bridal lehengas in Chandni Chowk Market. It is advised to get the information about the wholesale shops before visiting the market. Otherwise, one can be cheated in terms of product price.

When I visited the Chandni Chowk Market for the first time, I liked a lehenga in a retail shop. The price of the lehenga was 45k. It was little expensive for me. So I dropped the idea of buying that lehenga. I moved to other shops of the market. Then I entered a wholesale shop in Kinari Bazar. I bought the same lehenga from that shop in half of the price.

Chandni Chowk Market is categorized into many small shopping streets namely, Kinari Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Dariba Kalan, Nai Sarak, Khari Baoli, Ballimaran and Paranthe wali gali. Let’s discuss these markets in detail:

Visiting Detail

• Location: Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, Delhi- 110006
• Entry fee: Free of cost
• Closed: Sunday
• Market Timings: 9.30 am to 8.00 pm

History of Chandni Chowk Market

Chandni Chowk which means Moonlight Square is one of India’s oldest and busiest markets. Delhi is incomplete without mentioning Chandni Chowk. It is located in old Delhi close to Old Delhi Railway Station. Red Fort (also called Lal Quila in hindi) is very close to the Chandni Chowk market. The fort was designed and built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his daughter Jahanara in 17th century.

Chandni Chowk market started establishing when Shah Jahan founded the capital city of Shahjahanabad. He built Red Fort on the Yamuna river in the same time in addition to this.

How Chandni Chowk got its name?

Once the market was separated by canals to bounce back the moonlight. The canals are not closed. That’s the reason the market got this name (“Chandni” meaning moonlight).

Old Chandni Chowk

Original Chandni Chowk was half-moon-shaped square. A lake was built running from Yamuna river through the middle of the road which is known as  Chandni Chowk Bazaar these days. It had roads and shops on both sides of the  lake or channel. The road has 3 bazaars which were by designed by Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter Jahanara Begum in 1650 CE.

The road was divided into 3 bazaars originally:

• Urdu Bazaar: It was the major market which connected the canal in the middle of the Chandni Chowk to Jama Masjid. This market was destroyed in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• Johri Bazaar: Section of the road connecting from Chowk Kotwali to Chandni Chowk was known as Johri Bazaar.
• Fatehpuri Bazaar: Section of the road connecting from Chowk Chowk to  Fatehpuri Masjid was known as  Fatehpuri Bazaar.

Originally the bazaar has more than 1,500 shops. The bazaar was square shaped originally with a pool in the center. The pool flickered during the moonlight which is the main reason for its name. Initially the shops of the market were built in the half moon shaped which has lost now.

In 1950s, the pool in the center of the market was replaced by the clock tower (Ghantaghar in hindi). And so the center of the market is still known as Ghantaghar. Delhi Town Hall which is a landmark building in Chandni Chowk was built by the Britishers in 1863.

Historic Havelis in Chandni Chowk

• Begum Samru palace: Built in 1806 | Also known as  Bhagirath Palace where Begum Samru started her dancing career in 18th century. Later she became the ruler of Sardhana.
• Haksar Haveli: Jawaharlal Nehru married to his wife Kamla Nehru in 1916 in this haveli.
• Ghalib ki Haveli: Dedicated to the Urdu and Persian Poet Mirza Ghalib
• Dharampura Haveli: Built in 19th century | Awarded for special mansion in UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2017.
• Haveli Naharwali: Former president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf was born here. Initially, it was owned by Raja Nahar Khan, hence the haveli got this name. 
• Khazanchi haveli: The accountants of Shah Jahan were Khazanchi. The haveli is located at the end of the road connecting Dariba and Esplanade Road. 
• Naughara Mansions: Built in 18th century | It is a road with nine constant  beautifully brightly painted havelis.
• Zeenat Mahal: Built in 18th century | Known for Begum Zeenat Mahal who was the de facto Empress, ruled the Mughal Empire on behalf of the Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah II Zafar. 

Wholesale and famous shops in Chandni Chowk Market

Kinari Bazar

Kinari Bazar is close to the famous paranthe wali gali. The market is famous for its ethnic collection. The collection includes bridal lehenga, sarees, beautiful jewelry, banarasi sarees, embroidery designs, ethnic gota patti lace work, groom accessories like wedding kurta pyjamas, turbans etc.

Wholesale famous shops in Kinari Bazar

Chawri Bazar

The word Chawri has many meanings. In Marathi  language it is said to be the meeting place. During the time of Emperor’s rule meetings used to be held here. The purpose of the meeting was to resolve the disputes before reaching Emperor’s court.

This market is in the west of Jama Masjid. And it is very close to New Delhi railway station. The market opens after 11 am and closes at 6 pm.

Chawri Bazar has a good collection of hardware and metal items. Examples are jewellery boxes, pots or vases, wedding cards, home decor idols and statues. This is a specialized market of copper, brass and paperwork. The market has shops selling good quality of copper and brass utensils. This is a good place to get the wrapping bags, gift wrappers, beautiful wallpapers etc.

Wholesale famous shops in Chawri Bazar

Dariba Kalan

Dariba Kalan is located in the shahjahanabad of old delhi. Shah Jahan had built this. It is the jewellery market in Chandni Chowk. This market is known for precious stones, unique and beautifully designed silver, gold, diamond and artificial jewelleries in lower prices. Dariba Kalan is also known for costume jewellery shops.

Old Famous Jalebi Wala is a local popular Jalebi shop in Dariba Kalan.

Wholesale famous shops in Dariba Kalan

Nai Sarak

Nai Sarak is the connecting road between the Chawri Bazar and the Chandni Chowk market. As the name says, is the new road which connects the Chandni Chowk market. It is surrounded by old architectural buildings made by the Britishers.

This market offers the big wholesale collection of all types of books including medical books, children books, wedding cards and other stationary materials. Although Nai Sarak has many wholesale shops of wedding sarees and Lehengas with heavy embroidery work.

Wholesale famous shops in Nai Sarak

Khari Baoli

Khari Baoli is one of the oldest markets in Old Delhi. It was created at the time of the 17th century. This market is the Asia’s largest wholesale spice market in the world. The market also deals in dry fruits and other commodities. People from outside the city visit this place often for the better deal in spices, dry fruits and nuts. You can completely rely on the purity of the herbs and spices in Khari Baoli shops. The sellers sell the spices in the raw form.

Fatehpuri Masjid is adjacent to Khari Baoli. Though people don’t know much about Khari Baoli still this is one of the famous tourist attractions.

Wholesale famous shops in Khari Baoli

Ballimaran

Ballimaran is the market of shoes, eye spectacles, Lenses, eyeglass covers, frames etc.

Tourist Attraction: Ghalib ki Haveli is in Ballimaran which is one of the famous tourist attractions in old Delhi. Ghalib ki Haveli was named on the Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib and was created in the 19th century. He was a famous poet. His poems are written in all over the walls of the Haveli.

Wholesale Famous shops in Ballimaran

Bridal shops

Paranthe wali gali

Chandni Chowk is incomplete without mentioning paranthe wali gali. It is a  narrow street surrounded by small local shops. These shops offer variety of Indian breads. They offer so many varieties of paratha which you wouldn’t have even heard about them. Some of the famous paranthas in Chandni Chowk are:

• Nimboo ka paratha
• Bhindi ka paratha
• Karele ka paratha
• Matar ka paratha
• Rabri paratha
• Mix veg paratha
• Papad paratha
• Pudina paratha

The specialty of the paranthas is that these are deep fried different from the one we prepare at our homes. These shops  also offer Indian snacks like samosa, chat, kachori etc.

• Cost of paratha: Rs. 40 to 80 per piece
• Toppings: pickles or Green chutney, sabzi, butter and lassi or chhachh.
• Timings: 9.00 am to 11.00 pm

Famous food shops in Paranthe wali gali

• Babu Ram Paranthe Wala:
  • Address: Shop no. 1984 -1985, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Paratha (Pudina Paratha, Mixed Vegetable Paratha, Rabri Paratha, Mirchi Paratha), Lassi

• PT. Gaya Prasad Shiv Charan:
  • Address: Shop no. 34, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Paratha (Pudina Paratha, Papad Paratha, Rabri Paratha, Mint Paratha), Sweet Lassi 

• Kedarnath Premchand Halwai:
  • Address: Shop no. 4, Gali Paranthe Wali, Maliwara Tiraha Bazar, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Sweets and street food (Kachori, Bedmi Puri, Samosa, Sweet Lassi)

• Daulat Ki Chaat:
  • Address: Near Naughara Jain Temple, Kinari Bazar, Gali Paranthe Wali Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Chat made of milk and cream

• Kanwarji Bhagirath Mal:
  • Address: Shop no. 1972-73, Gali Paranthe Wali, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Sweets and Namkeens

• Jang Bahadur Kachori Wala: 
  • Address: Shop no. 1104, Gali Bhojpura Road, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
  • Famous For: Kachori

How to reach Chandni Chowk Market

You need to get down to Chandni Chowk metro station. One can either hire a Rickshaw or e-rickshaw or can walk down the market. It takes just 10 mins to reach the main market by walking.

The market is always overcrowded and lacks parking facility. So visiting Chandni Chowk by car is never a good option. It is better to park the car near the metro station.

Tips for visitors

• Search for wholesale and old shops instead of brand showrooms in Chandni Chowk. The wholesale shops sell the products in much lower price in comparison to the retail shops.
• Try to bargain the products as much as possible.
• Explore the shops first and compare the items in price and quality from different shops.
• Don’t go with the agents. The agents standing outside the shops encourage the buyers to visit their shop. As a result, we end up buying expensive items from their shops. So beware of these agents.
• Chandni Chowk market is a big shopping hub, which might make you feel tired and exhausted. Make sure you have water with you.

More information

Chandni Chowk Market timings

Generally, the market is open at 9:30 am and closes at 8:00 pm. It remains closed on Sundays. Though there are many street shop which remain open throughout the night.

How big is Chandni Chowk Market

Chandni Chowk falls under the Central Delhi district located in NCT of Delhi having a population of more than 193402. The Chandni chowk is spread over 5.6 km² of land. Its nearest Railway Station is Old Delhi railway station which is just 0.9 km far from the market.

Top few things to do in Chandni Chowk

• Try best street foods in the market in Paranthe wali gali.
• Shopping of traditional and designer outfits at very cheap prices at Kinari Bazaar.
• Go for jewelry shopping in Dariba Kalan.
• Shop for dry fruits, nuts and exotic spices in Khari baoli.
• Explore the Chandni Chowk ancient havelis.
• Don’t forget to visit the Red Fort

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