Chandni Chowk Market – Nearest Metro Station, Route, Timings, Map and Shopping Guide

By vishal - Dec 28, 2025, 02:28 IST

The Antique Beauty of Chandni Chowk Market

Enter Chandni Chowk Market and you are automatically taken back to a former time.

It is one of the oldest and busiest wholesale markets in India with the biggest market holding capacity.

It is a feast to the senses; history, tumult, business and mythical street food come together.

When you visit here, it is not just doing shopping but a great cultural experience to enjoy.

History of Chandni Chowk and the Samelaai of Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is an ancient place that was erected in the 17th century, the time of the Mughal Empire.

The market was commissioned in 1650 by the then Emperor Shah Jahan builder of the Red Fort, with his daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum design the market.

The market now became the center of the Shahjahanabad, the Mughal capital city.

Moonlight Square: The Rationale behind Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is named after Chandni which means Moonlight Square.

In the center of the street had been originally a shallow canal.

The pool of water in the centre of the square was meant to make the reflection of the moonlight, making the location an iconic one.

Chandni Chowk as a Wholesale Market Hub

Asia It is the largest wholesale market in Asia called Chandni Chowk.

The merchants of the entire India and the world visit in large numbers to buy bulk goods.

There are markets of the specialized lanes with the specialization on a given trade.

These are narrow minuscule streets, which are twisted together and present unbelievable variety on wholesale sale.

The Chandni Chowk Famous Shopping Lanes

It is by navigating through such bazaars of specifics that one can explore the market.

The lanes are also known as the paradise of a shopper with each lane having its fame in goods.

  • Dariba Kalan (Jewellery Market): This street is equivalent to superior silver jewellery and silverware. You will get traditional Kundan and Meenakari work, and gorgeous silver anklets and earrings. It is a jewellers market since the days of the Mughal times and commonly referred to as the Silver Street.
  • Kinari Bazaar (Wedding Market): The place to get all decorative materials when it comes to weddings. It is well known on its borders, laces, zari work, turans, kalire, and exquisite accessories to gift wrapping. These colours and glitter are much to the eyes, and likely to overwhelm.
  • Khari Baoli (Spice Market): The biggest wholesale market for spices of Asia. A strong smell of exotic spices, herbs, nuts, and dry fruits fills the air around here. You will be able to purchase good quality of saffron, teas and masalas in large amounts.
  • Nai Sarak (Books and Stationery Market): It is a place of refuge of students and lovers of books. Any type of academic and non-fiction books, stationery and art supply can be found at wholesale market prices.
  • Bhagirath Palace (Electronics Market): Represents it as the largest market in the Asian region to sell electrical and electronic products in wholesale. It is a location where one can purchase lighting and cables to support other electrical items.
  • Katra Neel (Cloth Market): This road is known by wholesale fabrics, clothes and textiles. It also sells primarily wedding attire such as Banarasi saree and lehengas.

A Food Lover Paradise Chandni Chowk Street Food

The Chandni Chowk Street Food alone is a real attraction to the visitors.

Most of the eateries here are legends with years of operation and they serve some Old Delhi tastes.

Being a must-have experience in the city of Delhi, is an absolute must-have.

Must-Try Eateries in Chandni Chowk

It will be a journey that you will not forget as you prepare your taste buds to explore these popular food establishments.

  • Paranthe Wali Gali: A historic street with its whole emphasis on the provision of stuffed and fried parathas. There are dozens of different fillings that are unique such as bhindi (okra), aloo (potato), and even sweet parathas. Pickles and chutneys are served up with them.
  • Natraj Dahi Bhalla Corner: Known for its mighty soft melt-in-your-mouth dahi bhalla (interaction of lentils in yogurt). Their aloo tikki (spicy potato patty) is also a good one to be highly suggested.
  • Old Famous Jalebi Wala: They are also thick, hot and crispy jalebis cooked in desi ghee. These are dipped with sugar syrup that is sweet and pleasant to the mouth.
  • Giani Di Hatti: A well-known restaurant of rabri falooda and other milk desserts. Their rabri crema on top of vermicelli and ice is cool.
  • Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan Wale: Famous Khurchan, is a rich, creamy dish prepared by scraping and condensing sweetened milk. An exquisite dish not to be found elsewhere.
  • Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala: One of the small stalls with kachori was well-known because of its hot and crunchy kachori that were offered with a bitter potato-based curry.

Chandni Chowk has a history of many historical and religious sites.

Other than the markets and the street food, Chandni Chowk is abundant in historical monuments.

It contains key religious organizations that show the cultural unity of India.

These monuments have been the history of the city of Delhi in the past centuries.

  • Red Fort (Lal Qila): This is a characteristic Mughal fort which is a UNESCO world heritage site that is towards the east end of Chandni Chowk. It is the place where the Prime Minister is addressing the nation on each Independence Day.
  • Fatehpuri Masjid: This is a beautiful mosque at the western end of the market constructed by Fatehpuri Begum, one of the wives of Shah Jhan in 1650.
  • Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib: Another important Sikh shrine, the martyrdom place of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru and his supporters who died there in 1675.
  • Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir: This was the earliest Jain temple constructed in Old Delhi, in the year 1656 and was built near Red Fort. There is also a renowned bird charitable hospital in it.
  • Gauri Shankar Temple: An old Hindu temple outside the Gurdwara, of the God of Shiva is evidence of the syncretic spirit of Old Delhi.

Travel Planning: Chandni Chowk Market Timings and Items.

One visit to Chandni Chowk needs a few arrangements to help them have a comfortable stay.

Its location is always busy, and the pay gets the job done.

Chandni Chowk Opening Hours and Beauty Hours.

The majority of the markets at Chandni Chowk observe the same hours of operation.

Market/Lane

Normal Open Hours

Closed Day

Specialty

Chandni Chowk (General)

10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Sunday (Mostly)

Wholesale Markets Goods & Food

Dariba Kalan

11:00 AM – 07.00 PM

Sunday

Silver Jewellery

Khari Baoli

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sundays

Fine Fruits, Spices

Chawri Bazaar

11: 00 am – 6: 00 pm

Sunday

Paper, wedding cards

Paranthe Wali Gali

9:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Open Everyday

Parathas (Food)

The seasons are the most active when it comes to festival and wedding times in the market.

Visiting during a working day in the mornings is the most likely time to circle and not see the high crowds.

Majority of wholesale markets shops are closed on Sundays, although there are food stalls.

Secrets of a perfect Chandni Chowk visit.

In an effort to have the most magical experience and reduce the hassle, the following pointers should be noted.

  • Take the Metro: Chandni Chowk Metro Station ( Yellow line) should be the easiest way to get there. Driving is not easy, and parking is an enormous problem.
  • Straighten your back: Use a footwear that is extremely comfortable. Hours will pass by as you walk the narrow, uneven and crowded streets.
  • Perfect the Bargaining Skill: There is the price bargaining that is prevalent here particularly in the bargaining of clothes and items whose price is not fixed. There is nothing wrong with trying to negotiate in the polite manner.
  • Hydrate Yourself: Keep a bottle of water, and most importantly, in summer. The audiences are able to make the experience tiring.
  • Lock up Your Valuables: Make sure you are ware of pickpocketers since the place is incredibly crowded. Close your bags up and lock them.
  • Visit the By-Lanes: Do not always be on the main street. Very charming and the best offerings are usually in smaller galis and kuchas (lanes).

Chandni Chowk Today: The Old and the New.

Although the market still maintains its centuries old nature, it is also being revamped.

The primary street has been turned into a walk street in order to improve the experience of the visitors.

There are new constructions such as the Omaxe Chowk which is designed to incorporate both modern convenience and heritage.

Although this is changing, the spirit of a wholesale market Chandni Chowk, which is a center of Indian business and culture, has not died yet.

Conclusion: Library Tour You Cannot Afford.

Chandni Chowk Market is a living breathing heritage of the history and soul of Old Delhi.

It is a place to get everything in lehengas to lentils and eat like kings with half a dollar to spare.

The pictures, sound, and smell are a fantastic, raving vitality of uniquely Indian fracas.

The next time, you are in Delhi, then spend at least a day drinking in the incredible beauty that Chandni Chowk possesses.