Delhi (India) > Reviews > Delhi - shopping for discerning people

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Family Friendly

Advantages:	AFFORDABLE; WHOLE SPECTRUM OF SHOPPING
Disadvantages:	NO REGULATORY MECHANISM, HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHEATING AND DECEPTION

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Delhi - A discerning shoppers' paradise

So you have landed in Delhi and have since seen its 'places worth seeing'? Now what about shopping? Delhi has something for everyone. It offers a total shopping experience. From high end shopping to pedestrian level shops; from indigenous ethnic products to sprawling shopping malls, Delhi has it all. But having said that, I must qualify the same with some ground rules and facts. Delhi, much like Bangkok is a market for discerning eyes only. You go in for outer sheen and gloss and you had it. I will go by the main shopping centres and then will elaborate on each.

Delhi Haat and surroundings

Delhi haat is a veritable one stop shop for all those who want to carry back ethnic memoirs of India. Here you would find shops by those very people who are the creators of their products. Thus you can lay your hands on original andamanese cane products or phulkari from Punjab or kullu shawls or kanchi silk. The products are reasonably priced perhaps because the place uniquely avoids the middlemen route. Yes, while in Delhi haat, you can enjoy Indian delicacies as almost all state cuisines are represented by rotation. Credit cards are generally accepted. The place is nested in the famous INA shopping complex area where you can get all exotic raw vegetables and fruits from all corners of the globe. It is about 5 miles from Connaught Place.

Connaught Place and surroundings

Connaught Place or CP as it is universally known is one of its kind. This uniquely designed shopping centre in lutyens' style radiating roads is full of mystique. Here you will find a five storey shopping world on far end of the janpath. This state owned monolith shopping paradise is rich in its offerings and you will find under one roof all that India and its diverse cultures and accomplished artisans have in their bag. From fine silken shirts and other apparels to potteries of all kinds; from exquisite tapestries to wall hangings of different kinds; from puppets to metallic statues to various exotic fragrances to cottons you have it all. But all this luxury(it is air conditioned for your comfort) comes at a premium for the products are generally priced little higher. But then who said that luxury and class comes without a price! The other flip is that you cant bargain. Credit cards are accepted. Language is not a barrier for almost everyone knows English.

Almost on a similar pattern though segregated state wise you will find state emporia which stretch end to end on baba kharak singh marg which runs parallel to Parliament Street. If you have general ethnic shopping in mind, cottage emporium is the place, but if you are looking for state specific products, try your hands at these state run emporia. It is a wonderful experience.

While in CP, you just cant miss the two great bargain shopping spots. Yes I am talking of janpath and palika bazaar. Janpath situated between medieval astronomical observatory jantar mantar and janpath lane is a shoppers paradise for here you can find ethnic dresses, rich cottons, rajasthani vegetable colour paintings, exquisite black and imitation jewellery and what not. Bargaining is the rule of the game and stay clear all those touts who would tail you like a spy. Never trust anyone. And while lost in shopping, do not ever allow your wallet and purse to be left loose. The area has its full quota of pick pockets and thugs. You should start bargaining at 25% of the quoted price to be able to strike a decent price. Palika Bazaar is an underground market in the central plaza of CP. Lately it has lost a great degree of its sheen but still it is a good place to hang around and for cottons, VCDs and very colourful and shimmering lingerie!

Pahar Ganj

Pahar Ganj or the hotel world opposite New Delhi Railway Station offers everything from cottons to incense sticks to ethnic artefacts. But you need to know the market as it is full of cheats. And of late it has become more of a market for professional shoppers from rump states of Soviet Union. Avoid shopping in Pahar Ganj if you can. Let it remain known for staying alone.

There are other shopping places like karol bagh, greater kailash, sarojini nagar, chandni chowk which are more of local markets. Avoid shopping malls in south Delhi and gurgaon, noida etc for they have exorbitantly priced off shore products behind their wonderful and tempting shopping windows and escalators.