A Shopper's Paradise: Unveiling Delhi's Diverse Shopping Experience

 Delhi, a city where ancient bazaars rub shoulders with gleaming modern malls, offers a shopping experience unlike any other. From intricate handicrafts to high-fashion couture, the Indian capital is a treasure trove for every kind of shopper. Let's dive into the vibrant world of Delhi's retail therapy!

The Allure of Antiques & Jewellery

Delhi is a haven for those who appreciate the charm of the past. If you're looking for unique pieces or exquisite reproductions, you're in for a treat.

• Antiques:

  • Kumbakoram Arts (Jangpura): Specializes in old furniture from South India.

  • Puratan (Geetanjali Enclave): Known for antique furniture from Gujarat.

  • Sunder Nagar & Janpath's Tibetan Market: Ideal for brass, wooden, and metal antique fares.

  • Kirti Nagar & Shahdara: Excellent for getting antiques copied to your specifications.

• Silver Jewellery:

  • Dariba Kalan (Delhi's ancient Silver Market): Famous for exquisite silver jewellery, hookah bases, platters, and water jugs, all priced by weight.

  • Other notable spots include Jewel Mine (Palika Bazaar), Khazaana (Taj Mahal Hotel), Lotus Eater (Santushti), Studio (Sunder Nagar), and Utkalika (Baba Kharak Singh Marg).

• Precious Jewellery: While not a "gold souk," Delhi boasts several renowned areas for gold and diamond jewellery.

  • Bank Street (Ajmal Khan Road) & Dariba Kalan: Iconic jewellery streets.

  • South Extension, Sunder Nagar, Greater Kailash: Home to many renowned gold and diamond shops.

  • Kundan Jewellery from Jaipur: Very much in vogue.

  • Sauranas and Tribhuvandas Bhimji Zaveri: Reputable names in Delhi's jewellery scene. For a true gold souk experience, head to Gurgaon.

Carpets, Shawls & Textiles

Buying a carpet in Delhi is often considered akin to acquiring a precious stone, and the city offers a wide array of options.

• Cottage Industries Exposition (M5, Hauz Khas): Features a fine collection of Kashmiri and Afghan Carpets.

• Central Cottage Industries Emporium (Janpath): Another excellent spot for diverse options.

• Gulam Mohidin & Sons (East of Kailash), Kathwari Rugs International (Prithvi Raj Road), Shyam Ahuja (Masjid Moth, G.K.II), Zoom (Baba Kharak Singh Marg), Maharani of India (Hotel Ashok): All recommended for quality carpets and shawls.

• State Emporia: Offers shawls from all over the country.

• Fabindia: Known for hand-woven home furnishings and traditional clothes.

• Shyam Ahuja's: Durries are truly world-class.

• Munirka Weekly Haat: Sells quality fabrics at bargain prices.

Leather Goods

For luggage, shoes, and jackets, these places are highly recommended:

• Yashwant Place

• Palika Bazaar

Culinary Delights & Dry Fruits

Beyond the glitter of jewellery and textiles, Delhi also caters to your gastronomic needs.

• Tea: For quality tea blends, visit Aap ki Pasand (Daryaganj) and Mittal Stores (Sunder Nagar).

• Dry Fruits: Khari Baoli (beyond Fatehpuri Masjid, Chandni Chowk) is the market for almonds, cashew nuts, chilgozas, sultanas, and kishmish.

Musical Instruments

For those with a musical inclination, Delhi has a few dedicated shops:

• A Godin and Co. (1, Regal Bldng., Connaught Place)

• Marques and Co. (G-14, Marina Arcade, Connaught Place)

The Grand Malls & Shopping Complexes

Delhi's modern face shines through its impressive malls and shopping complexes, offering a comfortable, air-conditioned experience.

• Ansal Plaza (Hudco Place, Khel Gaon Marg, Andrews Ganj): One of Delhi's prominent malls.

• City Square (Rajouri Garden): A popular shopping destination.

• Cross River Mall (9B & 9C, Central Business District, Shahadra): A large shopping complex.

• Select Citywalk (A-3, District Centre, Press Enclave, Saket): Known for its diverse offerings.

• TDI Mall (Rajouri Garden): Another key mall.

• The Great India Palace (Sector-18, Noida, U.P.): A large shopping center.

• Santushti Shopping Complex: A cluster of boutique-style stores offering high-quality artifacts, home furnishings, clothes, jewellery, and more.

• Khan Market: A self-contained residential market known for high-quality merchandise and good value.

Traditional Bazaars & Markets

No trip to Delhi is complete without exploring its bustling traditional markets, each with its unique character.

• Chandni Chowk: A historic area with countless bazaars, offering everything from readymade garments, local cosmetics, embroidered caps, and delicious street food.

  • Kinari Bazar: Famous for wedding accessories, hair-braids, and intricate garlands.

  • Nai Sarak & Daryaganj: Known for its book markets.

  • Jama Masjid: Behind it, you'll find a cotton market and a cycle market.

• Dariba Kalan Road: Historically known as the 'Street of the Incomparable Pearl,' famous for gold, silver, and costume jewellery.

• Sunday Chor Bazaar (near Daryaganj): A popular flea market for second-hand goods, from books to car stereos.

• Karol Bagh: A popular and economical market in the heart of the city, famous for food and shopping.

• Lajpat Nagar: A popular market in South Delhi catering to all income groups, offering home furnishings, clothes, and electronics.

Handicrafts & Souvenirs

Delhi is a paradise for art lovers and those seeking authentic Indian handicrafts.

• Rajiv Gandhi Handicraft Bhavan (Baba Kharak Singh Marg): Conceived as a "Handicraft Sanctuary," offering art, crafts, and handmade products from various regions of India.

• Crafts Museum (Pragati Maidan): Showcases tribal crafts.

• Tribes on Mahadev Road: Another spot for tribal crafts.

• State Emporia (Baba Kharak Singh Marg): A showcase of handicrafts and handlooms from various states, offering fixed and reasonable prices.

  • Zoom (Kashmir Emporium): For carpets and shawls.

  • Poompuhar (Tamil Nadu Emporium): For bronze icons and lamps.

  • Cauvery (Karnataka Emporium): For silk.

  • Nagaland Emporium: For cane furniture.

• Central Cottage Industries (Janpath): A spectacular display of Indian handlooms and handicrafts across eight levels.

• Dilli Haat (Aurobindo Marg & Pitampura): A multipurpose, socio-cultural complex with a 'bazaar' feel, offering costume jewellery, incense sticks, cloth bags, traditional dresses, and delicious regional food.

• Dastakar (40A, Shahpurjaat): A recommended spot for handicrafts.

• Sunder Nagar: Offers reproductions of antiques and handicraft fare.

Designer Wear & Unique Experiences

For those seeking high-end fashion and a curated shopping experience, Delhi delivers.

• Sarojini Nagar & Janpath: Popular for designer clothes from export surplus.

• Santushti (near Ashoka Hotel): A must-visit for unique finds.

• South Delhi & 5-star hotels: Home to glitzy shopping arcades with designer wear and home accessories.

• Ebony, Big Jo's, Saboos: Department stores offering up-market products.

• Garden of Five Senses (Said-ul-ajaib Opp. Qutub Minar): A sprawling garden housing a dozen plus uber brands, offering a quaint and integrated shopping complex with fine dining.

• Hauz Khas Village: An excellent place to shop and eat, with boutiques from well-known designers, antique shops, furniture, and high-fashion garments.

Shopping Hours & Holidays

Most shops are open from 10 am to 7:30 pm, but weekly markets (haats) can start at dawn and remain open until midnight. State emporia are open from 10 am to 6 pm.

Closed on National Holidays: 26th January, 15th August, and 2nd October.

Weekly Closing Days for Shops:

• Sundays: Connaught Place, Janpath, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Hauz Khas Village, Jor Bagh, Khan Market, Malcha Marg, Nehru Place, Sunder Nagar, Yashwant Place, Santushti Shopping Complex, Chandni Chowk, Darya Ganj, Sadar Bazaar, Shahpurjat, Faridabad.

• Mondays: Bhogal, Defence Colony, INA, Jangpura, Karol Bagh, Kotla Mubarakpur, Lajpat Nagar, Nizamuddin, Sarojni Nagar, South Extension I & II.

• Tuesdays: Greater Kailash I & II, Green Park, Hauz Khas, Kalkaji, Safdarjung Enclave, Ansals Shopping Plaza, Vasant Vihar, Shahdara, Yusuf Sarai & Noida.

• Wednesdays: Tilak Nagar, Rajori Garden.

Delhi Tourism

Central Reservation Office:
Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi-110001.
Ph.: +91 11 2336 5358
Email: tourism@delhitourism.gov.in
Website: www.delhitourism.gov.in
Be Hospitable. Save Heritage.

So, whether you're a bargain hunter or a luxury seeker, Delhi promises an unforgettable shopping adventure!