Chandni Chowk in Delhi

A milieu of sheer vibrancy, Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest shopping avenues in Delhi. Located opposite the majestic Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, which literally means the street of the silversmiths, is more an area than a single street branching out into a bazaar of mixed splendour and squalor.

The living remains of Shahjahanabad, the erstwhile city created by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, Chandni Chowk is a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon and a special market for Mughal royals to indulge in. Where, three-and-a-half centuries ago, there was space, now there are crowds of jostling people. Chandni Chowk caters to everyone. Where once princes and princesses rode in palanquins, today milkmen on cycle weaves their way through pedestrians, insistently ringing their bells. Where once there were processions with "roses, roses all the way", today there is the fragrance of roses and of attars (perfumes) that recall the Mughal past, but there is also the tempting smell of today's parathas and kababas.

Indeed, one of the most fascinating things about this area is the persistent contrast that it presents. And if you happen to travel to Delhi and not visit Chandni Chowk, then your visit to the capital is incomplete. Amongst the most populous areas of Delhi, Chandni Chowk is a place to be explored and savoured for those who do not fear crowds and have always been attracted by mixed sounds and the human tapestry of colour, smell and noise.

Situated at the eastern end of this vibrant market-place, is the Jain Temple. Built in 1656 A.D., the temple adds grace and sanctity to Delhi city. An absorbing unit of the temple is the Jain Bird Hospital, an amazing place, very clean and extremely busy, with about 60 birds admitted and treated every day in summer.

Located next door is the Gauri Shankar Temple. Composed of white sandstones and marble, the temple houses idols of Shiva and his consorts Parbati, Lakshmi and Narain, and Lord Krishna and Radha and Jumnaji.

Built in 1866 A.D by the British, the imposing Town Hall today houses the offices of the Delhi Municipal Corporation, and is the centre of Civic Administration of Delhi. And on the western end of Chandni Chowk is the Fatehpuri Mosque. It is built of red sandstone paved with black and white marble tiles. The mosque was constructed in 1650 A.D. by Begum Fethpuri, one of the wives of Emperor Shahjahan. There is a spacious courtyard and a fountain in its centre.

Once the eyes and the ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts, Chandni Chowk today it is one of the country's best known wholesale markets for jewellerys, textiles, electronic goods and watches.

How to reach
For tourists planning to travel to Delhi, Chandni Chowk is a must-see. Tourists can reach the Chandni Chowk in many ways. They can either take local buses from various points within the city, which is located near the Interstate Bus Terminus at Kashmere Gate in the heart of Delhi, or, alternatively, they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis for the purpose. There are also regular buses from other important bus terminals like the Interstate Bus Terminus at Sarai Kale Khan and Connaught Place to Chandni Chowk.