9 Exciting Reasons Why Every Dilliwala Loves Visiting Old Delhi, And Not Just For Food
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A day in the walled city (sans food).
The walled city, or Purani Dilli, as Delhiites fondly like to call it, is an alluring place for foodies. Its dingy bylanes are filled with scanty food stall and iconic haunts where Delhiites love to hog on everything from Chole to Rabri. But, in the joy of relishing these noshes, most people often forget that the place is also a flourishing haunt for shopping and leisure activities. So in the memory of these hidden gems, we’re bringing you a list of 9 reasons (apart from food) why every Delhiites love visiting old Delhi.
1. Spice Shopping in Khari Baoli
Did you know that Old Delhi holds one of the biggest spice markets in Asia? Yes, at Khari Baoli in Old Delhi you can shop for the most versatile and diverse range of spice and dry fruits for your kitchen. The market is Asia’s biggest space for spice and dry fruit shopping where you can stock up your kitchen supplies at inexpensive prices.
2. Update Your Library At Daryaganj
Old Delhi, Daryaganj to be specific, is a great place for bibliophiles. It is one of the biggest shopping market for buying used books in India and boasts a legion of stalls where you can find the rarest books from a variety of different genres, including academic and exam prep papers.
3. Ittar Shopping In Chandni Chowk
The walled city is a goldmine for anyone who likes to collect fragrances and skin oils. As you walk along the chaotic lanes of Chandni Chowk you can browse through innumerable shops for ittar, essential oils, soaps, and aromatic things that smell good. These shops even sell aromatic candles and incense sticks. If you’re someone who is particular about scents then we’d recommend heading to Gulab Singh Johrimal shop.
4. Experiencing The Divine
The glory of Old Delhi did not begin with its shopping markets and food hubs; it began with religious monuments like Fatehpuri Masjid and Digambar Jain Temple where people came in to pray in peace. So whenever you’re in the area next, make sure you bask in spirituality at these divine places.
5. Whole-Sailing Through Kinnari Bazaar
Hoarders can literally buy anything that comes as a reasonable price, even if the thing has no practical utility and what better place for a hoarder to shop than Kinnari Bazaar. The market is the city’s hallowed address for thrift shopping and offers everything from designer lehengas to home decor items at wholesale prices. What other reason do we need to go all out shopping?
6. Dariba Kalan For Shopping Silver
If silver nose-pins and cutesy-jewellery is your thing then Dariba Kalan in Old Delhi is the place to be for you. This jewellery and accessory market is speckled with numerous shops that sell everything from precious stones to showpieces.
7. Thrift Shopping At Chor Bazar
The name says it all. Chor Bazaar is a place to shop for swindled stuff of any kind, be it mobile phones for old boots. It is the kind of place where if you look deep you may just find gold in the garbage and if you’re up for some searching this place has a lot of gold.
8. Buy Cheap Stationery
Stationery shopping is an activity that some indulge in out of necessity while others for the pure joy of it and Chawri Bazaar greets them all with equal enthusiasm. The place is flooded with shops that offer affordable stationery, school supplies, paints, canvas, and lots more.
9. Cop Up Toys At Sadar Bazaar
Got kids or nephews that you want to win over with some gifts? Don’t worry, Sadar Bazaar has got you covered. The wholesale market is a popular place for inexpensive toy shopping in Delhi and also offers gifting items like sports equipment and home decor items like wall hangings, wrapping sheets and fancy artificial flowers.
