Sight Address : Chandni Chowk,Old Delhi, near the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Chandni Chowk, which literally means Moonlight Square, was the place where a canal passed by during Mughal times, and whose waters mirrored the sliver shimmer of the moon. Legend has it that Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter Jahanara wanted for herself a bit of the moon in front of her palace, so she summoned her workers to dig a canal through the city, and christened the marketplace around it ‘Chandni Chowk’. A part of the walled city of Old Delhi, the market stretches from the Red Fort to the small mosque of Fatehpuri Masjid. Three centuries ago, this labyrinthine network of lanes was the stronghold of eminent noblemen, Armenians, Turks, Italian merchants and Persian poets. The present day, however, doesn’t bear any of the tree-lined streets, Persian coffee houses, shops hawking glass hookahs, Chinese eye-glasses, clothing with gold inlay work and exquisite gem-embossed jeweller, but retains an old-world charm and cultural richness.
Chandni Chowk
HistoryEdit
Chandni Chowk runs through the middle of the walled city, from the Lahori Darwaza (Lahore Gate) of the Red Fort to Fatehpuri Masjid. Originally, a canal ran through the middle of the street as a part of the water supply scheme. It was initially divided into three sections.
Jama Masjid, the iconic 17th-century mosque of Chandni Chowk
Lahori darwaza to Chowk Kotwali (near Gurdwara Shish Ganj): This section closest to the imperial residence, was called Urdu Bazaar, i.e., the encampment market. The language Urdu got its name from this encampment. Ghalib noted the destruction of this market during the disturbances of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and its aftermath.
Chowk Kotwali to Chandni Chowk: The term Chandni Chowk originally referred to the square that had a reflecting pool. It was replaced by a clock-tower (Ghantaghar) that was damaged and demolished in the 1960s.This section was originally called Johri Bazaar.
‘Chandni Chowk’ to Fatehpuri Masjid: This was called the Fatehpuri Bazaar.
It is said that moonlight reflecting on its canal earned it its name Chandni (Moonlit).
Chandni Chowk was once the grandest of the markets in India.
Chandni Chowk, Delhi, 1863-67.
The Mughal imperial processions used to pass through Chandni Chowk. The tradition was continued when Delhi Durbar was held in 1903.
Procession of the Emperor Bahadur Shah II, 1843
Procession of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India, 1903 Delhi Durbar
Even though today Chandni Chowk appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. The following terms are generally used to describe the buildings and the streets.
Haveli: a mansion. A normal haveli would have a big courtyard (atrium) surrounded on four sides by spacious rooms and often another walled courtyard around the exterior as well. One of the largest preserved havelis in the area is the Chunnamal haveli.
Must SeeEdit
Popular
Visiting TimeEdit
10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M
Closed OnEdit
N.A.
Best Season to VisitEdit
October to March
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning,Afternoon & Evening
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
2:0 hrs To 3:0 hrs
Ticket Required : No Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : No Edit
Approximate cost: N.A.
Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
- Hotel Broadway ; 4/15A, Asaf Ali Road, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110002 ; Ph/M – 011 4366 3600 ; Food Serve – N.A.
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : This place is well connected by road the taxi service is available for this destination. Call 40406060 to get cab at any place and to anywhere in Delhi.Price will be – Indica Vista (New) 10.00 Rs/ km, Indigo cs /Swift Dezire (New) 12 Rs/Km, Tavera (New) 13 Rs / km, Xylo (New)13 Rs / km, Innova (New)13 Rs / km,XUV-500 (New)16.00 Rs/km,BMW (New)80.00 Rs/km,Audi (New)90.00 Rs/km,Honda City (New)30.00 Rs/km,Tempo Traveller (New)17.00 Rs/km, Corola (New)30.00 Rs/km Honda-crv (New)40.0Rs/km,Mercedes (New)90.00 Rs/km.
Bus : Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sight, which is located in North Delhi.
Train : For foreigners, it’s easiest to make ticket bookings at the helpful International-tourist Bureau 23405156; 1st floor, New Delhi train station; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, to 2pm Sun). Do not believe anyone – including porters – who tells you it has shifted, closed or burnt down and don’t let anyone stop you from going to the 1st floor of the main building for bookings. When making reservations here, if you are paying in rupees you may have to provide back-up money exchange certificates (or ATM receipts), so take these with you just in case.
Air : International and domestic flights all leave from and arrive at the airport’s gleaming new Terminal For flight inquiries, call the international airport (0124-3376000; www.newdelhi airport.in). At the new Terminal 3 there are 14‘nap & go’ rooms with wi-fi , a desk, TV and bed (₹315/hr). For comprehensive details of domestic air routes, see Excel’s Timetable of Air Services Within India (₹55), available at news stands When making reservations request the most direct (quickest) route. Note that airline prices fluctuate and website bookings with some carriers can be markedly cheaper.
Jagson Airlines (23721593 Vandana Bldg, 11 Tolstoy Marg)
Kingfisher Airlines (23730238; 42N-Block, Connaught Place).
Others : METRO The new high-speed metro line is the best way to get to/from the airport, and runs between New Delhi train station and Dwarka Sector 21, via Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan NH8 (Mahipalpur station) and Indira Gandhi International station (Terminal 3). Trains operate every 10 minutes from 5am to 1am.
Cycle-rickshaws are still in use in parts of Old Delhi, though they have been banned in Chandni Chowk to reduce congestion. Let’s hope they’re not banned in other areas, as they’re the best way to get around Old Delhi – the drivers are wizards at weaving through the crowds. Tips are appreciated for this gruelling work.
Things to CarryEdit
Carry your sunshades, sunscreen lotion, and a bottle of drinking water.
Safety / WarningEdit
Don’t flash jewellery or large sums of money. And keep daily cash in separate pockets.
HelplineEdit
Fire – 101
Ambulance – 102
Child Helpline – 1098
Women Helpline Number : 1091
Accident & Trauma Service – 1099
Police Control Room Number : 100
Tourist City Information Service – 1280
