Stories weaved in time- Chandni Chowk
A walk through Chandni Chowk is a gamble with history. Chandni Chowk metro station forks into two roads, that plunge itselves into narrow alleys that bustle with market life. We walked out of the metro station to the main road that faces Red Fort, to be greeted by Gurudwara Sisganj, built in 1783 to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur. We let ourselves be carried away by the rhythm of the crowd into narrow lanes, that burst with shades of all colours and goods of all sorts from sarees to spices. Winding lanes brought us back and again to the metro station, much to our agony.
Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk has been an indispensible part to the growth of Delhi. The market initially had a canal that ran through its centre, reflecting moonlight, thereby giving it its name. Home to centuries of history, Chandni Chowk still houses havelis, fort gates and masjids that stand tall in glory.
Towards one end of the market is the Delhi Town Hall, built in 1863 with yellow-painted brick and stone, and carved white stone trim. The town hall was the seat of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi during the British Raj till 2009.
One of the many things that caught my attention at Chandni Chowk was a shop whose board read " High Class Ladies Dress Materials". Perhaps a deep sociological insight into class and consumerism!
With old havelis and buildings co-existing with the new, winding lanes that burst with life, electric cables that run back and forth the streets and shops that sell almost everything, Chandni Chowk is a treasure house of stories- stories skillfully weaved in time.
Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Chandni Chowk has been an indispensible part to the growth of Delhi. The market initially had a canal that ran through its centre, reflecting moonlight, thereby giving it its name. Home to centuries of history, Chandni Chowk still houses havelis, fort gates and masjids that stand tall in glory.
Towards one end of the market is the Delhi Town Hall, built in 1863 with yellow-painted brick and stone, and carved white stone trim. The town hall was the seat of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi during the British Raj till 2009.
One of the many things that caught my attention at Chandni Chowk was a shop whose board read " High Class Ladies Dress Materials". Perhaps a deep sociological insight into class and consumerism!
With old havelis and buildings co-existing with the new, winding lanes that burst with life, electric cables that run back and forth the streets and shops that sell almost everything, Chandni Chowk is a treasure house of stories- stories skillfully weaved in time.
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