Introduction to Chandni Chowk
A famous poet once said about Chandni Chowk, ‘who would like to leave them’, such is the charm of the place, the largest trading centre in North India. Situated in the Main lanes of Old Delhi opposite the Red Fort, the Chandni Chowk was built by Jahanara, Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter. This is also called the ‘Moonlight Square’ as the water in pool reflected the moonlight and flowed through the Avenue at Chandni Chowk. Being one of the most important retail and business centre in Delhi, Chandni Chowk is always crowded and congested. But getting there is worth fighting the crowd, not only for the endless stuff you get there and the delicious food prepared in the eating joints, but also to experience the historical feel of this place.
History of Chandni Chowk
Jahanara, the most loved of Shah Jahan’s daughter laid the foundation of Chandni Chowk, the largest retail market in North India. The Chandni Chowk is built through a nukber of lanes or galis each of which has a special significance. There were vast gardens in the north of the avenue, one of which adorned the Jahanara Sarai. The biggest electrical market here was once the palace of the Begum. The western end has the Fatehpur Masjid, built by one of Shah Jahan’s wives. Originally, there were only half moon shaped shops during Shah jahan’s time which slowly gre into lanes and by lanes as business prospered. This stretch was called the Chandni Chowk. But later, the whole area from the Fort to Fatehpur was called Chandni Chowk.
Description of Chandni Chowk
The Chandni Chowk bazaar has several galis or lanes, each of which has a unique importance. For example, there is the famous Paratahawali gali, famous for a variety of delicious parathas. There are also the famous jewelry lane or the textile lane. The market place is adorned with historical landmarks like the Sunheri Masjid, the Fateh Pur Mosque etc. It has a special importance of being one of the only trade market that has a number of religious places for all religions, such as Hindus, Jains, Christians, Muslims and Sikhs.
How to reach Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is very close to the Inter State Bus terminal and the Old Delhi Railway Station. It is not difficult to reach Chandni Chowk, it being one of the most prominent places in Delhi, close to the heart of the old city, near the landmark areas of Red Fort and Jama Masjid
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