About Chandni Chowk

To most people Chandni Chowk is a tacky and down market wholesale bazaar in Old Delhi. However, Chandni Chowk is more than just a relic of the Mughal era. A heady mixture of history, modernity, tradition, religion, food, chaos and commerce, it is quintessentially Delhi. Chandni Chowk was built in 1650 AD as an accompaniment to the majestic Red Fort or Lal Qila by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and was designed by Jahanara, the Emperor's favorite daughter.

Across the street from the Red Fort lies Chandni Chowk, an area completely dedicated to shopping, trading and eating. While the Red Fort offers tranquillity, Chandni Chowk is its opposite. It is an enormous area, packed with all sorts of shops, bazaars, people of all kinds. The main street offers all kinds of shops, and it overflows with all kinds of traffic. But you can also dive into the alleys that branch off on all sides. Wherever you go, it bustles, boils, is full of sounds and smells, in one word: it is exciting!

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir is situated to the west of Connaught Place in Delhi. Constructed by Raja Baldev Das in the year 1938, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Also known by the name of Birla Mandir of New Delhi, this temple has quite an interesting history attached to it. Built over a period of 6 years, the temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. But, he kept a condition that he will inaugurate the Delhi Laxmi Narain Temple only if the people from all castes, especially untouchables, would be able to gain entry inside it. The temple constitutes of one of the major draws of the city and is visited by numerous devotees and international tourists every year.

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