If you wish to get a glimpse of India's
art & craft, a feel of the culture of the country
within the purview of the city then Delhi is the place
to be in. Delhi with it's innumerable shopping complexes
is able to cater to every individuals desire to acquire
items that have the essence, the originality of a particular
region in India.
Although there are shopping complexes in
almost every locality in Delhi, Connaught Place,
Karol Bagh and Chandni Chowk are the principle shopping
areas. Multiple emporia representing every state of
the country are to be seen at the famous Baba Kharak
Singh Marg, near Parliament Street. Each state emporium
has a slice of the best of its crafts under one roof
at government-controlled prices.
The Central Cottage Emporium in Jawahar Bhavan
at Janpath is undoubtedly worth a visit for anything
ethnic anc chic. It has almost anything that you might
desire to buy. From furniture to clothes, to shoes that
are typically Indian, to small gift items that could
work as souvenirs, the Cottage Emporium has it all.
The quality is absolutely the best and the prices are
reasonable enough.
In the rustic background of the Crafts Museum at Mathura
road, one can pick up great bargains on items like shawls,
pottery and paintings. A shopping complex of a similar
kind is to be seen in Hauz Khas. Popularly known
as The Village; you can find designer labels, authentic
jewelry and gift items within the complex. The Hauz
Khas Village is a complete experience with its ancient
buildings, designer stuff and a list of restaurants.
For those who are interested in antiques, Sundar
Nagar is just the place to be in. Of course for
cheaper antiques, it is Chandni Chowk. While
in that area, Dariba Kalan, a narrow street,
may be visited for gold and Silver. Chandni Chowk is
famous for jewelry and saris, so for those who wish
to get a feel of the tradition of India, Chandni Chowk
is the place to visit. Chandni Chowk is also the place
to buy silverware and jewellery.
Karol Bagh is yet another famous shopping complex
in Delhi of similar nature. You can find a variety of
Indian clothes, shoes and accessories out here as well
as precious jewelry and bridal wear. What's more, this
place sells automobiles and related accessories too.
For casuals, Janpath with its rows of shops,
Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar are the
places you would like to visit. These places offer variety
of novelties, gifts and handicraft items at bargain
prices. Sarojini Nagar also has this rather big market
of export surplus clothes. Here you will find clothes
made for GAP, Van Hausen, Joe Boxer, Levis being sold
for a song. All these clothes have been made in India
for these designer brands and are sold just because
they are surplus. Terrific bargains!
Dilli Haat
, near INA market, developed by Delhi Tourism has on
display almost everything that would be very typical
to a particular region in India. It has been designed
to be an upscale version of a haat (generally
a weekly traditional market). Unlike the traditional
haat where the market itself is mobile and transient,
in this case it is the craftspersons who are ever changing
- thus offering a kaleidoscopic view of the richness
and diversity of Indian culture and handicrafts.
This market is spread over a six acre spread with imaginative
traditional rural architecture and provides an ambience
for the market. The stone and brickwork paved paths
interspersed with grass patches make browsing and ambling
fun. The not too large but diverse food court bring
the cuisines of different states together.
This is a good places to look at or buy handicrafts
to do with rosewood and sandalwood carvings, leather
wear, fabric, drapery, gems, beads, metalware, and garments
is variety of fabrics. You can contact their office
at Phone : +91-11-4629365, 6119055
Delhi also has a very popular underground shopping
center called Palika Bazar. This shopping center
like most shopping complexes in Delhi has variety of
goods on display and at a reasonable cost. However,
while shopping here you need to be good at bargaining,
as generally the prices quoted are high.
A recent phenomenon in Delhi has been the steady rise
of foreign collaborations in consumer goods areas. With
extremely steep prices abroad, foreigners visiting India
can pick up items of international brands like Benetton,
Ray-Ban, Adidas, and Pierre Cardin at a comparatively
lower price. A common sight in South Delhi, rather in
Greater Kailash and South Extension is the presence
of multi storeyed departmental stores. These stores
are complete in themselves in as much that they have
on display items of all kinds ranging from cosmetics
to clothes to shoes to books to household items. If
you wish to buy quality products and do not mind spending
a little bit more, then these stores are worth visiting.
For music, The Music Shop at Khan Market, Rhythm
Corner at South Extension, Blues in Defence Colony and
Sheilma and Pyramids in Palika Bazar should be visited.
Although you will find music available almost everywhere,
the quality of music in these shops is better.
If you want to break a bit out of the ordinary, you
might want to spend a little time in the Chandni Chowk
area. As mentioned earlier, Chandni Chowk is a big market
for silver, and for lot else. Fabrics, woollens go cheap
here. Take a diversion to one of the by lanes into Chawri
Bazaar and Nai Sarak to see Delhi's big stationary
and books market. Take another bylane to get into Parathewaali
Gali. This bylane houses the most number of parathawallahs
(parathaas are kind of friend flatbread, which could
have a variety of stuffings or be without) on one street.
Unfortunately as the tastes of people get more and more
urban, the parathaa shops are giving way to the more
profitable garment shops.
And no visit to this area is complete without sampling
a jalebi (a sweetmeat made of flour, fried and
dipped in sugar syrup) at the jalebiwallah at
the mouth of the lane to Dariba Kalaan, or visiting
Ghantewallah's - a sweetshop more than 150 years
old.. Walk forth a little more and you will reach a
plethora of colors in Fathepuri's spice market.
This market is situated almost at the end of road which
leads to Chandni Chowk. All in all, this area represents
to some extent Delhi's old worldly charm.
The closing days for the shopping complexes in Delhi
is as follows:
-
Sundays: Connaught Place, Janpath, Baba Kharak
Singh Marg, Jor Bagh, Khan Market, Malcha Marg,
Nehru Place, Sunder Nagar, Yashwant Place, Chandni
Chowk, Sadar Bazar.
-
Mondays: Defence Colony, INA Market, Jangpura,
Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, South
Extension.
-
Tuesdays: Greater Kailash, Green Park, Hauz Khas,
Kalkaji, Safdarjung Enclave, Vasant Vihar, Shahdara,
Yusuf Sarai.
Shopping in Delhi is a delight so if you are interested
in shopping and you wish to grab a fragment of Indian
culture then Delhi is where you would like to explore
the possibility of doing so. |
