Shopping
 Delhi
is a shoppers' paradise, products ranging from the simplest of
Indian handicrafts to international designer labels are all here and
often within the same shopping area. Delhi has representative
outlets for the handicrafts of each Indian state. This in it self
presents a spectral array of goods, and at very reasonable prices.
In the last decade there has been a dramatic change in Delhi's
markets.
Traditional places to shop
The traditional places to shop in Delhi are around Connaught Place
and Chandni Chowk, a number of suburbs created by the rapid growth
of the city are emerging as fashionable shopping districts. The
shopping area of Hauz Khas Village, 12km southwest of Connaught
Place, with numerous boutiques, jewellery shops and galleries.
Outrageous rents and uncontrolled building have ruined the ambience
and forced boutiques out, some to the yet-to-be-developed village of
Shahpur Jat , a short distance away.
The hot spots....
Admist the gardens is located, Santushi Shopping Complex, just
inside Wellington Barracks next to the Samrat Hotel in Chanakyapuri,
and run by Air Force officers' wives, is a stylish place, patronized
by embassy officials but now threatened with closure. The best
markets for hand-spun cotton clothes, Greater Kailash and South
Extension I & II are the hot spots for designer "ethnic
chic" as well as Western chain brand names. Elsewhere,
self-contained local products ranging from bookshops to European
imported food include Khan Market, 1km south of India Gate, and
Bengali Market, off Barakhamba Road, which is especially renowned
for its sweet shops and large bustling caféscaf?s. Unlike the
markets of Old Delhi, most shops in New Delhi take credit cards.
Well!, beware of touts who want to drag you into false "government
shops" for a commission.
Art, antiques, crafts and jewellery
Much the best area to go shopping for art and antiques - even if
sceptics do consider it vastly overpriced and rarely authentic. Yet
it is a market where you may find an Alladin's Lamp or a Jeenie in a
Bottle or some other exciting relic of history.
Books
Delhi is an intellectual's habitat and has a whole world of books
to offer. Vendors sitting on the pavements around Connaught Place
will sell you anything from Sidney Shelton to Vivekananda, as you
move on you may discover those books which you might not even have
imagined. Delhi, in it's pockets of intellect has an infinite
knowledge to offer.
Fabrics and clothes
Sky is the limit in Delhi's shopping world as you can buy anything
from high-quality silks, homespun cottons and Kashmiri jackets and
shawls to traditional everyday wear and multi coloured tie-dyed
Western-style outfits. Bargaining is the most important shopping
skill while you shop at most street-side stalls, which can make
shopping all the more fun - start.
Music.......the rhythm of life
Delhi echoes with the melodies of the passion of the sub-continent;
the Triveni arts centre is a good place to catch live performances
as well as to get information on instrument-makers. You can catch up
with this happening and reverberating city and can mesmerise
yourself in the enticing melodies.
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