Clusters in Chandni Chowk: Chandni Chowk is divided into several clusters, each known for a particular trade, tradition, or cultural essence. These clusters have evolved over centuries, retaining their unique character.
Dariba Kalan, also known as the "Street of the Incomparable Pearl," is famed for its jewelry market. It is one of the oldest lanes in Chandni Chowk, where jewelers continue to offer traditional gold, silver, and diamond ornaments. The market is especially famous for handcrafted silver jewelry and perfumes. Besides jewelry, traditional attar (essential oils) is sold here, with shops that have existed for centuries.
Khari Baoli, located at the western end of Chandni Chowk near the Fatehpuri Masjid, is Asia's largest wholesale spice market. It’s a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and especially smells. Traders from across India and beyond come here to buy and sell spices, dried fruits, herbs, rice, and tea. Walking through Khari Baoli is akin to stepping into a fragrant world of red chilies, cardamom, cinnamon, and countless exotic spices, many of which are hard to find elsewhere.
Katra Neel is the textile heart of Chandni Chowk. This area specializes in fabrics ranging from simple cottons to luxurious silks and brocades. It’s a hub for wholesalers and retailers alike, providing materials for bridal wear, sarees, lehengas, and suits. Katra Neel's labyrinthine alleys are filled with shops offering vibrant colors, intricate designs, and an array of embellishments, making it a go-to destination for weddings and festive shopping.
Bhagirath Palace is India's largest wholesale market for electronics, lighting, and electrical appliances. From mobile phones to hardware components, lighting fixtures, and electrical supplies, Bhagirath Palace is a tech lover’s paradise. Historically, this area housed the Haveli of Begum Samru, a European mercenary-turned-ruler in Mughal India, whose palace still stands amidst the electronic shops.
Kinari Bazaar is an enchanting lane catering to bridal and wedding essentials. From vibrant wedding garlands to ornate turbans and dupattas, Kinari Bazaar is every bride and groom’s dreamland. Do not forget to explore the Kinari Bazaar, to find objects, trimmings and wreaths of Zari Zardozi which undoubtedly will dazzle you. It is known for its extensive collection of zari and zardozi embroidery, embellishments, laces, and borders, which are often used to enhance bridal outfits. The market is a lively testament to India's vibrant wedding culture.
Chawri Bazaar is a bustling market primarily known for its brass and copper products. Whether it's religious artifacts, kitchen utensils, or decorative items, Chawri Bazaar offers a blend of traditional and modern metalware. The market also doubles as a hub for printing services, with numerous print shops offering wedding cards, posters, and other stationary needs.
One of the most popular book markets in "Purani Dilli" is Nai Sadak . This place boasts of countless wholesalers and retailers that sell college & school textbooks. Similarly, you will find shops selling stationery. This market is open six days a week, except Sundays. For book lovers, the book market Daryaganj is a blessing. You will find absolutely everything from the latest bestseller book whose edition is exhausted. This place is especially known for being the largest weekly market books in the world.
As the name suggests, the Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market), which is located near the Red Fort, offers dazzling products at low prices, including electronics, designer clothing, and countless other objects. Here you can find almost everything. The only negative is that these products are not guaranteed, so it is impossible to determine their lifespan.
The Chhatta Chowk Bazaar is a single market of its kind in the commercial area of Chandni Chowk in Delhi. There, trading caravans display their products on display, then move. This market was made for women wearing the veil, but today the Chhatta Bazaar also attracts ladies and invited them to make their choice in complete anonymity. The place also has 40 shops which primarily sell imitation jewelery, embroidered bags, wall hangings and hand-painted many other things. It’s worth exploration.
Delicacies & Street Foods: Chandni Chowk is as famous for its food as it is for its history and commerce. The culinary traditions in this area go back hundreds of years, offering a rich variety of street food that reflects the city's diverse cultural fabric. Paranthe Wali Gali, perhaps the most famous food lane in Delhi, offers a delectable variety of stuffed parathas (flatbreads). These parathas are deep-fried, crisp, and come stuffed with everything from potatoes and paneer to dry fruits and even bananas. The shops here have been run by the same families for generations, and their recipes are closely guarded secrets. At the entrance of Dariba Kalan lies Old Famous Jalebiwala, a small corner shop that has been serving delicious, golden-brown jalebis (sweet spirals soaked in syrup) since 1884. The jalebis here are oversized, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, offering a sugar rush that has been beloved for decades. Located near Bhai Mati Das Chowk, Natraj Dahi Bhalla is famous for its dahi bhallas (lentil fritters soaked in yogurt) and crispy aloo tikkis. The stall has been operating since 1940 and is a beloved haunt for Delhiites looking to indulge in traditional North Indian snacks. A short walk from the main Chandni Chowk road, located in Gali Kababian near Jama Masjid, Karim’s is one of Delhi's most iconic Mughlai restaurants. Established in 1913, it offers succulent kebabs, biryanis, and mutton dishes that remain true to their Mughal roots. One of the oldest sweet shops in Delhi, Ghantewala Halwai was founded in 1790. Famous for its sohan halwa, this shop has served royal patrons, British officers, and ordinary citizens alike, making it a testament to Chandni Chowk's culinary legacy.
It is now time to charge into the claustrophobic hustle and bustle that is Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Crossroads), the onomatopoeic quality of the thoroughfare's name being undoubtedly apt. Cycle rickshaws ply along Chandni Chowk itself but most of the side streets are best explored on foot. Visitors are recommended to employ a guide who knows Old Delhi well to conduct them for an hour or two through the maze, otherwise much will be missed.