Shopping in Delhi
Delhi can be overwhelming even for true shopping freaks because of the sheer range of shopping experiences from the vaulted shopping arcades of Connaught Place to the crowded alleyways of Chandni Chowk.More than any other city, Delhi manges to incorporate all the colours and chaos of India’s bazaars side by side with the most unmarket fully air-conditioned shopping plazas, showcasing every thing from silks to spices, books to handicrafts.
Going ‘shopping’ in Delhi isn’t simply about ticking off items on a shopping list. The magic is about interspersing aggressive bargaining bouts with frequent visits to the chaatwallah or shakarkandi vendor. Many a blissful day can be spent in the dozens of speciality shops lining the by-lanes of Chandni Chawk. There are the book markets on Nai Sarak and Daryaganj, the brass market behind the Jama Masjid, and tons of silver jewellery to sort through in Dariba Kalan. The Sunday Chor Bazaar near Daryaganj is a popular flea market. You can get lots of second hand buys here ranging from car stereos to books.
For designer clothes from export surplus, head for Sarojini Nagar and Janpath. A major success story is the speciality store Fabindia, which offers hand-woven home furnishings and traditional clothes, while Shyam Ahuja’s durries are truly world class. The Munirka weekly haat (bazaars) sells quality fabrics for a song.Santhusti near Ashoka Hotel is a must visit.
Glitzy shopping arcades in South Delhi and in the 5-star hotels stock a huge array of designer wear and home accessories. Department stores such as Ebony, Big Jo’s and Saboos and malls like Ansal Plaza offer a varity of up-market products from cosmetics and couture to books, all under one roof.
The regular markets may lure shopper, but it’s the weekly haats, which spring up around the city that bring out the bargainer in you. Those setting up their first home will find every house hold item imaginable in these haats.
Additionally, almost anything you see in a super expensive store, whether it’s an overpriced fancy flower pot or an invaluable antique, can be reproecued to a satisfactory degree by a number of artisan workshops for lower prices. For custom made furniture visit the Panchkuian Road, Kirti Nagar and Shahdara is the place to go to have antiques copied. For ceramics, the lane leading off Africa Avenue towards Sarojini Nagar is lined with potters who’ll replicate your designs, for a fraction of the price at boutiques.
Interspersed among this jumble of shopping options are the numerous outlets showcasing tribal crafts, such as the Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan, Tribes on Mahadev Road, the row of state emporia of Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Cottage Industries on Janpath, and Dilli Haat opposite INA Market.
CHANDNI CHOWK - There are countless bazaars in Delhi. But for sheer ambience, few can compare with the ancient bazaars around Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk – each a world in itself.
It has rows of small shops selling readymade garments, local cosmetics, embroidered caps. There are also many dhabas, makeshifts stalls where you can get a piping hot meal of meat curry and rotis for just a few ruppes, or biryani.
Behind Jama Masjid is cotton market selling quilts, pillows and mattresses. Beyond it is the busy cycle market which has the best range of bicycles and tricycles as well as accessories.
The street is Dariba Kalan Road, literally ‘ Street of the Incomparable Pearl’. Since the time of Shah Jahan, the Street has been home to Delhi’s gold, silver and jewellery market, although a number of shops now sell costume jewellery. The jewellery here is sold by weight rather than by piece – it seems no value is placedon the craft of the jewellery themselves.
Where Dariba Kalan makes a slight bend to the left, at shop No. 1658, take the narrow street to the right, Kinari Bazar. From all over the city, Delhi –wallahs come to the glittering shops in this street specially for wedding ceremony accessories – hair- braids feature prominently, as do amazingly intricate garlands made from tinsel and crisp new Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 notes.
CONNAUGHT PLACE – Delhi’s most popular shopping centre, C.P. was conveived to be the central shopping complex of Delhi at the time of construction of New Delhi. The resplendent splendour of the days gone by is amply visible in the large, airy showrooms supported by large circular pillars, offering a rare treat for window shoppers. A fine example of modernity blending with tradition. The famous under ground Air-conditioned market Palika Bazar is a shoppers paradise. It’s large well decorated showrooms cater to Clothes, Footwear, Enteries, Travel, Airlines & Sundry needs. The central park provides a haven for weary shoppers and tourists. Janpath is a well known lane for all kinds of Handicrafts. The famous showrooms at C.P are of MOHAN LAL & SONS, JAINSONS LEVI’S, LACOSTE, BATA AND LIBERTY.
KHADI GRAMODYOG BHAVAN – Located in Regal building Connaught Place it is run by Khadi Village Industries Commission. Here you can buy Khadi cotton and silk yardage, ready made garments, handmade paper, incense sticks, pure honey and a lot more. A 10% - 50% discount is available on various items from 2nd October for 90 days.
Major shopping complexes for those in search of elegant and exclusive, the places to go are :
CENTRAL COTTAGE INDUSTRIES EMPORIUM, JANPATH – Offers a spectacular display of Indian handlooms and handicrafts under one roof , spread over eight levels. It is a place that makes you linger a while. Prices are fixed and quality assured – Shimmery silks, embroidered shawls, precious jewellery, carpets, painting, potteries, glassware, furnishing, furniture and lots more. A useful destination to pick up a souvenir.
STATE EMPORIA – Eighteen in all, the State Emporia on Baba Kharak Singh Marg are a showcase of handicrafts and handlooms of the state they represent, Prices are fixed and reasonable because in most cases it is subsidized by the state government concerned. Some particularly good bargains are Zoom (Kashmir Emporium) for carpets and shawls. Bronze icons and lamps at Poompuhar, the Tamil Nadu Emporium and the silk at Cauvery, the Karnataka emporium, Cane furniture at Nagaland Emporium and many more.
DILLI HAAT – Winner of the PATA Gold Award, it is a multipurpose, sociocultural complex with a ‘bazaar’ feel to it. Here, one can enjoy the unique experience of ethnic India. A great place to pick up costume jewellery, incense sticks, cloth bags, traditional dresses and home accessories. For food, traditional delicacies from all over the country are served.
THE GARDEN OF FIVE SENSES – The Garden of Five Senses in the new entrant in the world of couture. This sprawling 20 acre garden houses a dozen plus uber brands that have come together here to create a very quaint integrated shopping complex. The shopping here is an interesting mix. There is a good mix of some of the best designers with all the funky wares. Shopping here is away from the urban chaos associated with the capital city. The designer brands at Garden of Five Senses come with fine dining and a dose of culture.
HAUZ KHAS VILLAGE – An excellent place to shop and eat. It is a shoppers paradise for Handicrafts, furniture, Clothes – A good collection of Boutiques from some well known and established designers. Hauz Khas has collection of good eating places like the Village Bistro Restaurant Complex.
Here the old and new, the modern and the traditional have come together in enforced harmony. The village became a fashionable destination for Delhi’s elite. There are about 100 shops dealing in carpets, old silver antique, furniture and high fashion garments. Art galleries and restaurants make the place more interesting.
SANTUSHTI SHOPPING COMPLEX – Santushti is a little haven of a shopping complex with a cluster of boutique – style stores. Pebbled paths lead the way to the 30-odd shops stocking a range of high quality artifacts, from home furnishing to clothes, jewellery, candles, leather goods and cigars. Santushti remain small, personal and rather exclusive.
KHAN MARKET – This self-contained local residential market is centrally situated attracting a cross-section of customers. High quality merchandise and good value for money characterize this market. It boasts of some excellent bookshops, electronic and music stores.
KAROL BAGH – The most popular market located in the heart of the city. It is famous for the food as well as shopping. It is one of the most economical market in Delhi, just 2 km. from New Delhi Railway station.
SOUTH EXTN – A posh marketplace, promising an international shopping experience situated on the ring road in the South of Delhi.
Home to all of the major brands found in India, as well as most of the departmental stores in one place. High quality garments and footwear are the main attractions and some of the city’s finest jewelers have located themselves here. It is a shopping destination for the entire family.
LAJPAT NAGAR – The most popular market in South Delhi suitable for all income groups. A large number of shops catering to all types of household requirements i.e. Home furnishing, Clothes Electronic items etc.
Shopping in Delhi is memorable .
HANDICRAFTS – Central Cottage Industries, the State Emporium, Janpath, Shahpurjaat and Dilli Haat are the place recommended for Handicrafts from all over India. Prices are reasonable and quality assured. Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan, Dastakar, 40A, Shahpurjaat. Sunder Nagar also has a lot to offer in reproductions of antiques and handicrafts fare.
ANTIQUES – There are several shops that offer excellent reproductions and restored pieces.
Kumbakoram Arts – Jangpura specializes in old furniture from South India.
Puratan – Geetanjali Enclave – Antique furniture from Gujrat.
Sunder Nagar and the Tibetian Market in Janpath also keep brass, wooden and metal antique fares.
CARPETS AND SHAWLS – Connoisseures feel buying a carpet is almost like buying a precious stone. Recommended are Cottage Industries Exposition, M5, Hauz Khas, has a fine collection of Kahmir and Afghan Carpets.
Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Janpath
Gulam Mohidin & Sons, East of Kailash
Kathwari Rugs International, 9, Prithvi Raj Road
Shyam Ahuja – Masjid Moth, G.K II
Zoom – Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
Shawls from all parts of the country are available at the State Emporia.
PRECIOUS JEWELLERY – Delhi may not have a gold souk but Bank Street of Ajmal Khan Road comes close to one. Dariba Kalan, the Jewellery street is another destination. South Extension, Sunder Nagar, Greater Kailash have many renowned gold and diamond jewellery shops, Kundan Jewellery and Jaipur is very much is vogue and the Sauranas in Delhi have a sound reputation and of course there is Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri. However, there is a gold souk at Gurgaon.
LETHER – Yashwant Place and Palika Bazaar have several shops specializing in luggage, shoes and Jackets.
TEA – You do not have to be expect to buy quality tea because there are speciality shops with trained personnel who assist you in picking the right blends. Choose from : Aap ki Pasand (Daryaganj) and Mittal Stores (Sunder Nagar) DRY FRUITS – For dry fruits – almonds, cashew nuts, chilgozas, sultanas, Kishmish the market is Khari Baoli, just beyond Fatehpuri Masjid, Chandni Chowk.
SILVER JEWELLERY – Dariba Kalan Delhi’s ancient Silver Market. This is not only famous for jewellery but hookah bases platters and water jugs. Each piece is weighed and priced on the official bullion rates. Also recommended
Jewel Mine ( Palika Bazaar),
Khazaana (Taj Mahal Hotel),
Lotus Eater (Santushti),
Studio (Sunder Nagar),
Utkalika (Baba Kharak Singh Marg),
Remember
Shops are open from 10 am to 7.30 pm, but the weekly haats can start at dawn and remain open till midnight. The state emporia are open from 10 am to 6 pm, with an hour off at lunch time. All markets remain closed on 26th January, 15th August and 2nd October (National Holidays). Rajiv Gandhi Handicrafts Bhavan at Baba Kharak Singh Marg conveived as a "Handicraft Sanctuary" offering many art and crafts and handmade products from various regions of India, is a paradise for art lovers.
You can also buy ethnic Indian traditional handicrafts as souvenirs directly from the master craftsman from Dilli Haat ( Food & Craft Bazaar) situated at Aurobindo Marg near Safdarjung Airport. Ph : 26119055, 24678817
