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Shopping in
Delhi |
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De lhi
is a veritable paradise for shoppers, who can buy objects ranging
from the simplest of Indian handicrafts to international designer
labels, and often within the same shopping area.
Delhi is unique in that it has representative outlets for the
handicrafts of each Indian state. This in it self presents a
staggering array of goods, and at very affordable prices. In the
last decade there has been a dramatic change in Delhi's markets.
Upwardly mobile lifestyle has led to greater sophistication in
display and upgrading of various markets in terms of availability of
items.
Delhi has
long been the most important trading centre in Northern India. Many
of its localities, like Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, derive their
names from medieval market towns which serviced the bygone, shifted
capital cities of Delhi. Today, all of these have become a part of
the rapidly expanding metropolis. Instead of market towns, there are
specific whole sale markets or"mandi's" scattered throughout the
vast city, and their's is another story. |
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For visitors to Delhi, shopping is high on the list of "things to
do". Tourists find a wide choice of items- such as carpets, silks,
jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and handprinted
cotton - that are synonymus with India. Each item is available in a
range of prices, depending on the quality and the outlet.
Another interesting is that each market has its own, distinctive
ambience and adds its own flavour to the experience of shopping.
Haus Khas Village, Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk are worlds
apart from one another, yet each of them reflects an aspect of this
many - faceted city. In fact one of the fascinating ways of
understanding a city is by wandering through its market places for
it is here that contemporary culture is most visible to the outsider |
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The
 exploration
of Delhi's markets could be begin at Chandni Chowk. Despite the
pressures of traffic and population, its historic land marks servive
to tell the story of the last three centuries. Many of the shops
here are more than 100 years, old and the mesh of lanes and bylanes
is full of superises. Leading off Chandni Chowk are Dariba, the
silver market, Khari Baoli, the spice market and Kinari Bazar for
trimmings and tinsel. In some of these bazaars the item for sale are
manufactured at site, which lands a special charm to the shopping
experience well integrated into the culture of the old city, these
bazaars offer the visitor a glimpse of life in Old Delhi
There are some antique stores behind Jama Masjid, and more lining
the entrance to the Red Fort, where the Meena Bazar once was. These
offer items arranging from jewellery to painting and furniture, and
cater almost entirely to tourists. Connaught Place, New Delhi's
original shopping arcade was planned as part of the Imperial capital
in 1911. On Baba Kharak Singh Marg, are the numerous government
State Emporia. Which afford a glimpse of the handicrafts of each
state. So does the recently- inaugurated new Central Cottage
Industries Emporium on Janpath. Across the road from "Cottage" as it
is popularly known, are the inviting stalls along Janpath.
The Tibetans sell jewellery and ritual objects, while closer to
Connaught Place are available embroideries from Gujarat and
Rajasthan, readymade garments and bric- a - brac. When the wheather
is good it is pleasant to amble down Janpath, where bargaining is
the order of the day. Sundernagar Market is a fine place to shop for
antiques and silver jewellery. The well - appointed stores keep a
choice selection, especially of silver jewellery from Ladakh, semi-
precious stones, some textiles and brass, copper and silver object
d'art |
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Not
far from Sundernagar is the Crafts Museum Shop, attached to the
museum in Pragati Maidan. Moving further south are the up market
shopping centers of South Delhi- South Extension, Greater Kailash I
and II, Green Park and Hauz Khas Village.
The haunt of the nouveau riche, these markets offer a combination of
ethnic chic and designer lebels, Indian and international. Hauz Khas
Village has set a very interesting trend as market. Over the
countries, a village had developed around the medieval college and
the tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. A few years ago, an association
called Dastakar - set up a showroom in the village. Now the village
has a plethora of boutiques, galleries and restaurants which coexist
with the buffalos, cow pats and men smokking hookahs on charpoys.
Far from being a deterrant, the "rural" ambience is a positive
attraction.
Other villages like Mehtauli, Khirkee and Lado Serai are fast
following suit. Seeing the popularity of crafts bazaars held
periodically in the capital, Delhi Tourism has set up a permanent
outlet for craftspersons at Dilli Haat, where space and the
availability of Indian cuisines make the visit a very pleasant
experience. A more up market outlet for Indian handicrafts and
antiques is the bazaar near the Qutb Minar.
The Santushi Shopping Arcade opposite the Ashoka Hotel has become
another popular up market haunt. Developed by the Air Force Wives
Association, it has a select number of boutiques where apparel,
furnishings and accessories are available. A restaurant and
patisserie add to the quiet charm of the place |
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