Popular markets in Delhi
Visiting any place is incomplete without shopping from the local market of that destination. For a layman market is place consisting of sellers and buyers, both involved in satisfying their personal interests. Where seller is interested to get the full price of product sold by him and on the contrary buyer is involved in buying the satisfactory product at the reasonable price.
Delhi the biggest Indian city has various products to offer its citizens. There are seven major markets located in Delhi which are known for their specialty and enrich customer with a new experience.
1. Delhi Haat:
The most attracting feature of this market is that it presents the picture of traditional Indian village market to the visitors. The shops are constructed like huts in village with thatches as their roofs. The market has the mix blend of handicraft products, food and cultural activities.
Nearly about 200 craftsman have established their shops exhibiting the different crafts from all over the country, besides this there 25 food stalls which provide the variety of Indian food. There is also a huge area for children to play. Entry fees in this markets is Rs. 15. (35 cents).
• Location: Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10.30 a.m. to 10 p.m., including national holidays.
• What to Buy: Indian handcrafts and artifacts.
2. Janpath and Tibetan Market:
Recently this market was renovated and offers some thing for every one. Here the bargaining skills of person can give him the experience of satisfied shopping, as this market offer the products from all over India and Tibet.
• Location: Janpath, just off Connaught Place, in central New Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily.
• What to Buy: Handicrafts, hippy clothing, shoes, paintings, brassware, Indian artifacts, leather work, and cheap jewelry.
3. Khan Market:
Khan market can be regarded as one of the classic market of Delhi. Designed in a U-shape gives the loyal feeling to the person who go there for shopping. However, the bargainers may be disappointed here. The specialty of this market is the location of interesting book shops.
The market is also equipped with lounges to relax with balconies outside them where a visitor can have look over the market. The market has also some tailors who can prepare suit for their customer in time lesser than a week. The market is also the place of ayurvedic products, food and skin care products.
• Location: South New Delhi, not far from India Gate.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Books, music, branded and tailored clothes, Ayurvedic food and cosmetics, and lamps.
4. Paharganj:
The market of Paharganj may be the best place for the bargainers. This market deals in the wholesale and also exports goods. Here a person can get the imported items at a reasonable price.
• Location: Paharganj Main Bazaar, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station.
• Opening Hours: Daily until around 9 p.m.
• What to Buy: Clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, music, textiles, handicrafts, hookah pipes, incense.
5. Chandini Chowk:
If some one is interested to enjoy the pleasure of shopping in the crowded streets then he can come for shopping to chandini chowk. It is one of the oldest existing markets in Delhi. The lanes are divided into different markets with different specialized products.
The Bhagirath palace area is well known for electric materials. Dariba Kalan is an oldest silver market known for silver jewelry.
• Location: Old Delhi.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Fabrics, jewelry, and electronic goods.
6. Lajpat Nagar Market:
The lajpat nagar market gives the picture of Indian culture. It is not only the oldest markets of Delhi but also one of the oldest market of India. Where one can find a fleet of middle class Indian shoppers. The main attraction of this market are Mehndiwalas who apply Mehandi, (a typical traditional art of women make-up on hands) on women hands with the high speed. The traditional Punjabi Kurti top and salwar kameez can be purchased at reasonable price from this market.
• Location: South New Delhi, near Defence Colony (between Greater Kailash and South Extension).
• Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays.
• What to Buy: Indian clothing, shoes, bags, accessories (including Indian bangles), and home furnishings.
7. Sunder Nagar:
This market offers you the traditional artistic and antique products to rich socialistic Indians. The other attraction of this market is number Tea shops, the most famous tea shops are Regalia Tea House and Mittal Tea House.
• Location: Off Mathura Road in central New Delhi, not too far away from Connaught Place, near the zoo and Oberoi Hotel.
• Opening Hours: Daily except Sundays.
• What to Buy: Silver jewelry, art, textiles, carpets, and antiques.
Others: The markets mentioned above are mostly known for their particular features and mostly attract the Indian and foreign visitors visiting Delhi to enjoy the new experience of marketing. But the major buying capacity lies in the hands of middle class buyers who want the maximum satisfaction from the products they purchase whether it is any product or clothes, he wants the maximum satisfaction at the reasonable price.
Where the richer section is less effective by price the middle class people go for bargaining and this makes the real scene of market where the seller tries to convince the buyer and buyer keeps on discussing about the price and wants to get fully satisfied before buying the product. Delhi being the largest city has a good number of such markets located in the heart of city which invite the buyers with options of products. A brief description about these markets is mentioned below:
1. Connaught Place:
Connaught Place also called as CP is known as the economical hub of Delhi. Name after Duke of Connaught, the construction of this market started in 1929 and ended in 1933. Making its recognition amongst the heritage walls of Delhi, Connaught place has the branch offices of famous Indian firms located in its heart.
Renamed as Rajeev Chowk after the death of Late Prime Minister Shri. Rajeev Gandhi, Connaught place today offers the operation of versatile business activities. The infrastructure development has also given birth to various disputes related to property rights, encroachment, traffic congestion, unauthorized construction etc.
2. Greater Kailash:
Also known as GK is located in the sub-urban area of Delhi. Divided in the two parts Part I and Part II, GK is the residential area of biggest middle class and upper middle class families. Both the zones have local markets for local residents.
The area covered under both the markets is as Greater Kailash Part I has M-Block market which is considered to be the most happening market in Delhi. It has a wide range of products brands and restaurants. The M-Block market has some famous brands such as Esprit, EDC, Giovani, Miss Sixty, Next, Sisley, Lee, Puma, Addidas, Reebok, Bizzare, Artileore, La Coste, etc.
Greater Kailash Part I was developed by the DLF in early 1970s. Its development was followed by the development of the more acclaimed Greater Kailash Part 2 which has easy accessibility to Outer Ring Road of New Delhi.
3. South Extension:
Located close to the southern area of Delhi, South Extension is situated in the Ring Road just east of All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Divided in two parts South Extension I and South Extension II, the market offers you the experience of international shopping with the posh shops located in the market. The busiest day of market is Sunday where as it is closed on Monday.
South Ex I has several stores and restaurants, including: a huge, 3-storied Benetton store, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Mehrasons Jewellery Store, Bengali Sweet Market Centre (a restaurant and sweet shop), Teksons Bookshop (www.teksonsbooks.com), Nalli Saris, Tanishq (exquisite jewelry store), BG's (designer fashion jewelry), Sehgal Bros. (clothing), as well as several other clothing and music stores.
South Ex II has a resto-bar (lounge), a Mehrasons Jewellery Store, and several other restaurants. Part II also has some of Delhi's people's organisations like Intercultural Resources and donors like ActionAid.
4. Khari Baoli:
Located in the heart of ancient Delhi, Khari Baoli market came in to existence from 17th century in the site closer to Red Fort and adjacent to Fatehpuri Masjid at the west end of Chandini Chowk. The market is famous for wholesale market of grocery and also recognized as one of the largest markets of Asia involved in selling spices, nuts and herbs.