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Delhi 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.
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.
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.
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. |
