Behind the chaos and confusion in this warehouse of commerce and culture is the serious business of making money. Located in the heart of the old city is the fabulous Khari Baoli. Asia’s largest and probably one of the oldest it is abrim with bustling narrow alleys lined with all manner of shops tended by vendors in the wholesale business of dealing and wheeling in grains, rice, local and exotic herbs and spices, teas and other culinary ingredients. Spilling over at the shops fronts are sacks of culinary treasures — chilis sourced from around the country, pepper and saffron, cloves and cinnamon nutmeg and cardamom, turmeric and cinnamon, vanilla and fennel, cumin and mango powder, coconuts and dry fruits, assorted teas, coffee and cooking oils— and lentils and rice and wheat and other heritage grains. Learn about the various spices, therapeutic values and their culinary use. and some fascinating perfume shops called Ittar shops.
The arterial road in Chandni Chowk, running from the direction of the Red Fort towards the iconic halwai Chaina Ram at the T-junction, brings you to the serene Fatehpuri Masjid. It was built by Fatehpuri Begum, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s much favoured lady in his harem. Its clean and quiet spaces serve as a beautiful contrast to the frantic tumult, colour and spice and heat and dust of the adjoining Khari Baoli market.
Teeming with traders, buyers, sellers, and tourists it offers boundless opportunities to immerse yourself in the array of aromatic spices, chat with the vendors. Simply lose yourself in the vibrant vibe of the hectic action in the storied history and heritage steeped landscape of the Old City. It’s truly a lively paradise of plenty for the culture buff, the curious traveller and the camera lens.
Our wanderings also bring us to in Dariba and the nearby Jama Masjid area in the old city where you’ll find some of the oldest ittar/perfume selling shops in the country. These ittar shops will teleport you out of the heat and dust of the Old Quarter to a world of floral, woody and spicy scents from the shopkeepers, the families of some who have been involved for generations in the business of creating and selling perfumes. You can pick up vials of your favourite fragrances from the fabulous range of over 100 exotic varieties lining the shelves—including favourites like rose, jasmine and khus. One of the most popular ones is the replication of the ‘scent of earth after the most popular ones is the replication of the ‘scent of earth after the first rain'.