Shopping In Delhi
Shopping In Delhi
-: CANNAUGHT PLACE :-
Cannaught place, officially called Rajeev Chowk, is the ultimate culmination point of all that Delhi has to offer at one place. A trip to Delhi without visiting CP, as it is abbreviated, is incomplete as the place has now developed into a full fledged tourist attraction. On a trip around Cannaught place, one can visit Historical monuments like the 17th century Jantar Mantar, the sacred Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a shopping spree around famous Janpath and the underground Palika bazaar or visits to famous Restaurants & Cafes and Popular cinema halls.
Believed to be modeled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, England the area can be easily recognized on the city map with its design resembling a circle or wheel with spikes (roads) coming out in all directions. A major business center housing several corporate offices, it was initially built by the British as a residential place for the rich and mighty. Located at the heart of Delhi, tourists can find several travel agencies, banks, luxury hotels and airline offices in CP.
-: PALIKA BAZAAR :-
An underground, air-conditioned market located in the inner circle of Cannaught place, Palika Bazaar is one of the most popular markets in the city. Open to public since 1970s, the Palika Bazaar used to be the most sought after shopping destination but which now receives comparatively less number of customers due to the Plethora of other options that have came up in the nearby areas.
One can shop for a variety of items, though the market is particularly famous for garment and electronic goods. Prices are relatively low and you can always bargain for the cheapest price. A perfect place to shop souvenirs, the market is currently under consideration for being revamped for the upcoming 2010 commonwealth games.
-: DILLI HAAT :-
Dilli Haat combines food, culture and craft from different parts of the country and brings them all together under one roof. A permanent market operational throughout the year, Dilli haat is basically a group of stalls representing different states and offering varieties of goods ranging from rosewood and sandalwood carvings, drapery and fabrics, metal wares, cotton, silk and woolen fabrics, gems etc, not to forget the delicacies of various kinds.
This food plaza cum craft bazaar is located near South Delhi and is also a wheelchair-accessible market. Sellers are selected usually for fifteen days, after which another seller is allocated the shop. Various shows and events to promote the dying art of handlooms and handicrafts are also organized inside the premises. The NDMC and Delhi Tourism department jointly developed the concept with the aim of promoting the ethnic Indian handicrafts and there are plans underway to open more such Dilli haat’s around the city. Covering an area of 6 acres, especially impressive are its detailed landscaping, planning and architecture giving it a complete village look.
-: KHAN MARKET :-
Named after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Khan Market is considered as ‘The Posh Market’ of Delhi. Ranked as India’s costliest retail location and 24th globally, its expanse is dotted with residential complexes and Bungalows of famous peoples and top bureaucrats of the city.
The market in Karol Bagh caters mainly to high-profile customers. Showrooms of top garments, accessories and foot wares are located here apart from electronics, kitchenwares and bookshops. Located almost at the heart of the city close to India Gate, several other famous spots are located nearby like the Lodhi gardens, the World Habitat Center, World Wide Fund for Nature etc. After the partition of India, the area of Khan market was allocated to the immigrants of North-West Province, but now it has grown into a classy and expensive shopping markets of Delhi. Some of the popular brands in the market are Adidas, Nike and Reebok and eateries like Mc Donald’s, Barista and Café Turtle apart from numerous other outlets.
-: CHANDNI CHOWK :-
Chandni Chowk is a major shopping street in Old Delhi. Regarded as the place which even now showcases the ancient history of the city mingled with the modern times. Designed and constructed by Shah Jahah in 1650 AD as ‘Shahjahanabad’, it lies close to other famous Mughal monuments like Jama Masjid and Lal Quila. Sacred places of other faith like Gurudwara Sis gunj and the Digambar Jain mandir are also in close proximity, enriching the area with cultures and traditions. Chandni Chowk runs through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Darwaza (Lahore Gate) of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid.
An ideal place to buy ethnic India goods, Chandni Chowk's speciality lies in the variety of markets and articles on display. Be it delicacies of various kinds, books, clothing, electronic goods, jewelleries and gems or Sarees with Chikan and zaree work, Chandni chowk offers it all within its narrow and busy lines. The street is a delight for the food lovers with several famous restaurants/confectioners housed within like Ghantewala Halwai, Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah ,Chaatwallah , Bikaner Sweet Shop famous for rasmalai, and Paranthe wali Gali with paratha shops. Home to some of the historical mansions of the bygone age including Begum Samru's Palace of 1806 now called Bhagirath Palace, Naughara mansions in Kinari Bazaar, 18th century Jain mansions, Khazanchi haveli and Haveli of Mirza Ghalib.
-: JANPATH MARKET :-
Shopping in Janpath is in a way reminiscent of shopping in true or larger identity of Delhi. Unlike ultra-modern and sophisticated shopping malls that visitors can find in any of the metropolitan cities, Janpath offers a unique shopping experience consisting of open stalls, smaller shops to even roadside vendors providing a flavor of Delhi. The products offered, chiefly garments, but also books, accessories and handicrafts are fair priced and reliable, if not branded products. Incidentally, Jan path is now the tourist favorite shopping spot in Delhi.
Janpath extends from Cannaught Place to Lodhi Gardens and has a number of shops and stalls on either side selling a large variety of products like garments, jewelleries, decorative items, carpets, and maps. There is also a Tibetan market from where a wide range of Himalayan art & crafts can be purchased. A popular place not just for shopping but also to just hang-around in the relaxed atmosphere. Bargain and settle for the best price at Janpath. Apart from a number of restaurants and cafes, the Janpath road, or 'people's street' has a number of famous and important buildings & Hotels including-
• The Indian Tourist Office.
• National Museum.
• Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts.
• National Archives.
• The Imperial.
• Hotel Janpath.
• Claridges hotel.
-: KAROL BAGH :-
Karol Bagh is one of the oldest shopping destinations of Delhi, located in the heart of the city. Situated close to other famous monuments and Places, and just 2 km. from New Delhi railway station, Karol Bagh is a visitor’s delight. Consisting of both hi-tech showrooms to traditional stores, Karol Bagh offers cotton, woolen and silk garments, furniture’s, trendy accessories, spices, carpets but the specialty of the place is Jewellery, both traditional and embedded with precious stones and gems, the art and workmanship of which is considered unique and unmatched anywhere in the world.
Pick up a wide variety of fabrics or readymade garments, traditional Indian Sarees or latest fashionable dresses, and bargain for the best price. Karol bagh was basically allotted to the Punjabis from Pakistan who migrated here after the partition and later opened several shops and establishments to earn a living. Some major Roads in the area are:
• Ajmal Khan Road- an ideal place for buying cotton, silk or richly embroidered garments, or International brands and ethnic spices.
• Ghaffar Market- It is said that there is not a single imported or branded product of any kind that is not available here. From cosmetics, Mobile phones, watches, sunglasses, electronic goods, to garments, and foot wares, this place has got it all and more.
