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Location: On the Khari Baoli Road after crossing the Fatehpuri Masjid on the western end of the main Chandni Chowk Road.
Famous as: Asia's largest wholesale spice market
Open: On all days, except on Sunday
Preferred timings: 11.30 am to 6.00 pm
Admission: Free and open to all.
How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this market, or they can hire auto-rickshaws, taxis and metro rail.
Photography charges: nil
Nearest Railway Station: Old Delhi Railway Station
Nearest Metro Station: Delhi Main
Functional Metro Station: Delhi Main
Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
Time required for sightseeing: 30 minutes
(Data are as of July 2005)
Khari Baoli is the Asia's largest wholesale spice market. It can be reached by taking the Khari Baoli road (towards western direction) after crossing the Fatehpuri Masjid on the western end of the main Chandni Chowk Road. It was during Shah Jahan's reign that the Khari Baoli, (the stepped well) was constructed along with a fortified gateway on its western end popularly known as Lahori Gate. The gateway was so named because a road through it led to the city of Lahore now in Pakistan. However, today there is no trace of either the Baoli or the gateway here.
At present, the street of Khari Baoli has a congested and busy market with shops on both sides selling spices, nuts and herbs. The visitor will have a unique experience here viewing the whole process of market of loading, carrying or unloading of huge sacks of items from manual trolleys, shopkeepers busy in dealing with the customers, customers selecting large quantities of items and weary laborers resting and chatting aloud. The overall appearance seems to be very chaotic but in reality it is very well managed if kept in consideration the fact that such a large amount of trading of small items are carried out daily.
The market has a good reputation for being the best in Delhi as far as quality and price of any item here is concerned. Though it is a wholesale market but still one can purchase small quantity of any items widely displayed on all the shops. Apart from being a cook's delight, the market also sells wide range of other items like household soaps, varieties of rice, and sugar among the many items.
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