CHANDANI CHOWK

Structure of Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk or “Moonlight Square” is one of the memorable gifts of the Mughal Era that Delhi cherishes till date. Being one of the oldest and busiest markets of the country, Chandni Chowk is a center of attraction for traders, besides the tourists who come to visit the city. Chandni Chowk was designed and built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter Jahan Ara Begum in 1650 CE. The marketplace was 40 yards wide and 1520 yards long.

The original Chandni Chowk, was located in front of Municipal Town hall and its reflection used to shine in the moonlit water pool located in front of it. A shallow water channel was built from Yamuna, which ran through the middle of the straight road currently known as the Chandani Chowk Bazaar, with roads and shops on either side of the channel. This road had three Bazaars which were designed and established by Princess Jahanara Begum. The bazaar shaped as a square was given elegance by the presence of a pool in the centre of the complex. The bazaar was also famous for its silver merchants.

The pool in the chowk was replaced by a clock tower (Ghantaghar) in the 1950s. The center of the market is still referred to as Ghantaghar. Chandni Chowk was once the grandest Indian market. Mughal imperial processions passed through Chandni Chowk. The tradition was continued when Delhi Durbar was held in 1903. Delhi Town Hall was built in 1863 by the British.

Present day out look

Chandni Chowk's specialty is its variety and authentic food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, sarees with chikan and zari. Narrow lanes host shops that sell books, clothing, electronics, consumer goods, shoes and leather goods. It is the location of the original Haldiram's and brands such as Giani's. A particular local delicacy is the jalebis, which are fried in pure ghee. 

Starting from the Red Fort end, one finds the Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir and the Gauri Shankar Temple. A short distance away is Bhagirath Palace. Bhagirath Palace and the adjoining areas have the biggest market in India for electrical goods, Dariba Kalan is the market for silver and gold jewelry. This market also offers trophies, shields, mementos and related items. At its Southern end close to the Jama Masjid, is Bazaar Guliyan where about a hundred shops selling metallic and wooden statues, sculptures, bells, handicrafts are located, Nai Sarak is the wholesale market for stationery, books, paper and decorative materials. Chawri Bazar is a big market for greeting and wedding cards as well as plumbing and sanitary ware and accessories.

As we move along the  central road,  we see Gurudwara Si Ganj Sahib, Sunehri Masjid, the Central Baptist Church, Town Hall Building and at the end the Fatehpuri masjid.

Restaurants and eateries

Chandni Chowk is home to several famous restaurants and confectioners; most well known among them is Gali Paranthe Wali (1875), Annapurna Bhandar (1923) Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai (1948), Gol Hatti (1954). Giani’s (1947) and Hazari Lal Khurchan Wale (1930)