Overview
The area lies in the historically important Shahjahanabad, between the Lal Qila (The Red Fort) and Fatehpuri Masjid. On both sides of the wide Chandni Chowk streets are historical residential areas served by narrow lanes (galis). With the most famous mosque of Delhi Jama Masjid (Delhi) built in 1644 in the vicinity, it is an unusual street that has several famous religious shrines, belon
ging to different religions, that coexist lending the street a genuine cultural harmony. Starting from the Red fort, the street has:
Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, established in 1656 with a bird hospital established in 1929. There is also a Naya Mandir built in 1807 near by in Dharampura, which was the first temple with a shikhar permitted. Christian Central Baptist Church built in 1814. Sikh Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib. The 9th Guru Guru Tegh Bahadur and his followers Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Dyala and Bhai Sati Das were executed nearby by the Mughals in 1675 A.D. The permission to build the Gurdwara was given in 1783. Muslim Sunehri Masjid built in 1721 by Roshan-ud-Daula Zafar Khan in the reign of Mohammad Shah. The Persian invader Nadir Shah had spent several hours on the top of the mosque on 11th March, 1739 to observe the katl-e-am (the killing everyone in sight) he had orderd resulted in 30,000 deaths. Muslim Fatehpuri Masjid built by Fatehpuri Begum in 1650, one of the queens of Shah Jahan. Chandni Chowk's speciality is the variety of its markets and their Indian-ness. From authentic Indian food, delicacies and sweets of more than 1,000 kinds, to sarees with Chikan and zaree work. There are lots of narrow lanes with many shops selling books, clothing, shoes and leather goods, electronic and consumer goods and what not. The area, even more so than the rest of the city, is very congested. This is also a good area for window shopping. It is the location of the original Haldiram's. A particular local delicacy are the jalebis, which are fried in pure ghee (clarified butter). Gali Parathe Wali in chandni chowk is known for its parathas, Dec 2006. Chandni Chowk is home to several famous restaurants/confectioners (Halwais). The Ghantewala Halwai, established in 1790. Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle, established in 1940
Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah established in mid-19th century. Chaatwallah established in 1923
Bikaner Sweet Shop famous for rasmalai
Gianiji ka Falooda famous for Rabri Falooda
Paranthe wali Gali with paratha shops from 1875-1886
Meghraj and Sons’ a century old
Chainaram established in 1948
Some of the historical mansions include:
Begum Samru's Palace of 1806 now called Bhagirath Palace. Naughara mansions in Kinari Bazaar, 18th century Jain mansions. Khazanchi haveli
Haveli of Mirza Ghalib
Popular culture
A typically congested scene along Chawri Bazar in the Chandni Chowk area, March 2006. Chandni Chowk was featured in the 2001 Bollywood film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham where the leading lady Anjali (Kajol) and her sister Pooja (Kareena Kapoor) lived. Though portrayed as a neighborhood populated by a lower-class population, Chandni Chowk is shown to be a rich, cultural hub. A rhyming Indian tongue twister (which perhaps goes back to the 1950's) in the film goes as follows:
चंदू के चाचा ने
चंदू की चाची को
चाँदनी चौक में
चाँदनी रात में
चाँदी के चम्मच से
चटनी चटाई
Chandu ke chacha ne
Chandu ki chachi ko
Chandni Chowk mein
Chandni raat mein
Chaandi ke chamach se
Chatni chatayi
The tongue twister uses the multiple meanings of the word Chandni (a girl's name, moonlit, silver) for poetic effect. This poem has अनुप्रास alankar (anupraas alankar) (repetition of similar sound, here ch) and यमक (yamak) अलंकार (alankar) (use of the same word in different places for generating different meanings). Literal translation:
Chandu's uncle,
To Chandu's aunt,
In Chandni Chowk,
On a moonlit night,
With a silver spoon,
Fed chutney. One of the main characters, Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) in the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, is identified when he says the tongue-twister (almost) correctly. An old song recalling the clocktower (ghantaghar) that once stood in the center, and India's freedom struggle
घंटाघर की चार घड़ी
चारों में ज़ंजीर पड़ी |
जब भी घंटा बजता था
खड़ा मुसाफिर हंसता था ।
हँसता था वो बेधड़क
आगे देखो नयी सड़क |
नयी सड़क पर बुआ बाजरा
आगे देखो शहर शाहदरा |
शहर शाहदरा में लग गयी आग
आगे देखो गजियाबाद |
गजियाबाद में फूटा अंडा
उसमे से निकला तिरंगा झंडा |
झन्डे से आई आवाज़
इंक़लाब ज़िन्दाबाद ||
It recalls the satyagrah by Swami Shraddhanand in 1930s near the Ghantaghar. Now his statue marks the event. The 2009 Bollywood Movie Chandni Chowk To China starring Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Mithun Chakraborty, and Ranvir Shorey also features some scenes depicting the city. Every thing GUD and BAD about walled city. History :
The favourite daughter of Shahjahan, Jahanara laid the foundation of today Chandni Chowk which is the largest trading centre of North India. Also known as the moonlit square, it is located in the the main street of Old Delhi. Situated opposite the Red Fort, the bazaar has several galis (lanes). Each of these galis represent a speciality of this market, for example the parathawali gali famous for it's parathas. Similarly there is the jewellery lane, textile lane and so on. The market place has historical land marks like- The Sunheri Masjid which stands next to the Kotwali (old police station). The Fatehpur Mosque, is located at the west end of Chandni Chowk and the famous Jumma Masjid is also situated nearby. Old Delhi gives an insight into the multi-layered identity that so aptly characterizes India. The lanes are narrow, filled to bursting with people, throbbing with life. This community is for all those who loves purani dilli (Old delhi). All those who were/are living or visited/planning to visit Purani dilli are welcome. snacks shop or your fav. eating point etc...
THIS COMMUNITY OPEN TO ALL WHO LOVES OLD DELHI....PURANI DILLI KE CHAHNE WALE...WHO STILL LOVE THE OLD "PURANI DILLI" CULTURE....
CHAT-PAKODI,GHUMNA PHIRNA,PARANTHE,TIKIYA AUR FALUDA....MMM
U ALL R INVITED...
JOIN THIS COMMUNITY N SHOW UR LOVE TOWARDS PURANI DELHI....!!!.....NAI SARAK...
DARIYAGANJ...
CHANDNI CHOWK...
CHEERAKHANA...
MATAWALI GALI...
PARANTHEWALI GALI...
NEEL KATRA...
MOTI BAZAAR...
DHARAMPURA...
ETC....
