INDIA. Delhi: We at The Transcontinental Times are sure that you have enjoyed experiencing Delhi as detailed in our earlier features. We now take you shopping to the markets of old Delhi, the largest wholesale market for commodities in the whole of Asia. You can find these markets look like a big maze of smaller markets of toys, household items, stationery, antiques, imitation jewelry, spices market, and many others.
Read Also: Delhi – The City Of Experiences
Dilli 6 is what the area is popularly called and has a number of markets including:
- Sadar Bazar,
- Khari Baoli,
- Nai Sadak, and Chawri Bazar,
- Chandni Chowk,
- Bhagirath Palace, and Lajpat Rai Market,
- Darya Ganj
- Dariba Kalan, and Kinari Bazar, etc.
Colorful lanes, aromatic food, honking vehicles, and huge markets – that’s Old Delhi for you. These overcrowded lanes of Dilli 6 carry historical importance and have a number of stories attached that make it what it is today. Also known as a food paradise, Old Delhi markets are everything that a shopper in you can dream of.
Before we hop on to our vehicle for a shopping tour, master some tips for shopping in old Delhi markets:
- Bargain as much as you can.
- Carry an extra-large durable bag.
- Carry a water bottle.
- Wear your most comfortable shoes.
- Definitely try out the amazing Old Delhi food.
- Explore the streets walking.
Sadar Bazar
Sadar Bazar, a must-visit in Delhi, is the largest wholesale market dealing in a variety of commodities, including household items like plastic items like buckets, mugs, & utensils for the kitchen, and cutlery and crockery items. It’s a very crowded market and is a major tourist attraction.
The bazaar in fact is a maze of a number of smaller markets, Teliwara or Timber Market, for plywood and timber, Swadeshi Market for artificial jewelry, gift items, toys for kids, Pratap market, etc. If you want any counterfeit products of multi-national companies, FMCG products, and especially cosmetic goods, this is the market to head for.
Khari Baoli
It is Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. Spices are the main constituent of Indian cuisine, which are heavily used in its traditional recipes. The moment you enter Khari Baoli, the aroma of authentic spices hits your sensory nerves. Here you get all kinds of authentic spices, nuts, and all kinds of groceries. Also, Khari Baoli along with the adjoining Fatehpuri market is a treasure trove of dry fruits and spices available at wholesale prices.
Nai Sadak, and Chawri Bazar
If you are looking to buy colorful and cute stationery items at wholesale prices, head for Nai Sadak. It also is one of the biggest textbooks markets in India, and the street is usually crowded with students who come here looking for textbooks.
The adjoining Chawri bazaar is famous for brass and copper products, and also for getting wedding cards printed. Various shops also sell fancy sanitary fittings of all kinds.
Chandni Chowk
Who has not heard Chandni Chowk? Indians who have weddings coming up in families usually head for Chandni Chowk for Bridal Lehengas. Every Indian bride-to-be has to come here for shopping for her D–day. You can get replicas of all kinds of designer exotic outfits that celebrities have worn for their weddings at unbelievably low prices. The market is dotted with tiny shops, which have some of the best collections of wedding and party attire.
Bhagirath Palace, and Lajpat Rai Market
Right in front of Red Fort, this is one of Asia’s largest markets for electronic and electrical goods. All kinds of regular electrical needs, attractively designed chandeliers, garden lights, and vintage lamps are available here. Bhagirath Palace is the perfect destination for all electronic needs. Name any electronic item, and you are sure to find it at Lajpat Rai Market. Any hard-to-find spare part of an electronic device can be sourced here.
Daryaganj
Book lovers head for this treasure trove of old books every Sunday morning to bring home your favorite books available at throwaway prices. On Sundays, the walkaways of Daryaganj are flooded with vendors selling novels at prices as cheap as Rs 30/- (less than fifty US cents) per book.
Dariba Kalan
After shopping for your wedding outfit, the market to head for is Dariba Kalan to find perfectly matching accessories. Dariba Kalan is a hidden treasure for all silver jewelry buffs at a pocket-friendly price.
Exotic Food
After so much walking and shopping, it’s natural to feel hungry. Well, you must have had been munching on various titbits that you have purchased from the roadside food vendors. And once done with shopping, you can relish authentic Indian food, including delicacies deep-fried in ghee (clarified butter) and mithai (traditional sweets) of various kinds at various eateries.
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