This heritage walk in old Delhi covers the main street of Chandni Chowk, from Digambar Jain Lal Mandir opposite Red Fort right up till the Fatehpuri area. The Jain temple and Gauri Shankar temple are the two most important temples in old Delhi. Their shikhars are most prominently visible from a distance. The first one is contemporary to Shah Jahan’s time (mid 17^th century) & is known for a bird hospital in its premises and the second was built in 18^th century. It was in news recently as President Pratibha Patil visited the temple to offer prayers. Next stop was SBI building which looks in a better shape than rest of the building complexes on both sides of the Chandni Chowk road. This entire area would originally have been Begam Samroo’s estate. It is now called Bhagirath Place & is a very large market for electronic goods. Close by is the Central Baptist Church built just after 1857 uprising. On the opposite side are the famous jalebiwala and Dariba Kalan, the street known for its silver jewellery. Next was Sisganj gurdwara, the fountain Chowk and Sunheri masjid. The fountain & sisganj gurudwara mark the place of martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur & 3 of his followers. The fountain chowk also has the old Ghantewala halwai shop. It has now moved shop close by but a signboard still marks the original location of the shop. A further ahead is parathewali gali, probably the most famous street in old Delhi, known for its stuffed parathas. A slight detour from here takes us through Kinari Bazaar into a group of havelis which still retain their traditional appearance. The lane is known as Naughara. Back on the main road we make our walk to the Town hall, built by the British and now the office of the MCD. Katra Neel starts just after the Town hall. This area is known for Lala Chunna Mal’s haveli which can be seen on the first storey, above the cloth market on the ground floor. We entered Katra Neel through a red gateway. A plaque on the gateway tells us that this was the site of the shootout by the British on protesting nationalists in 1942 Quit India Movement. Katra Neel also has small shivalayas, shrines dedicated to Hindu god, Shiva. Entering the Fatehpuri masjid is a great contrast to the hustle bustle outside. The mosque is a very active place, full of students and locals, but still is very quiet and peaceful. Adjacent to Fatehpuri Mosque is the Khari Baoli area famously known as the spice market. This is the last stop on our heritage walk. We find out way into a warehouse of spices called Gadodia Market, all the way to its terrace, for a fantastic view of old Delhi.

(posted by Kavita Singh, team member, Delhi Heritage Walks)

Chandni Chowk Heritage Walk