Khari Baoli Market is Asia’s largest spice market located on the North East side of Delhi. It is one of the most prominent places in Old Delhi, near the famous Chandni Chowk market. It is a bustling market and a tourist attraction as it has roots in the Mughal Empire. This market is famous for its unique spices and condiments of high quality, which are purely organic. You can find a variety of nuts and herbs available here. There is a beautiful alleyway with shops lined up, selling a variety of rice, sugar, fresh organic produce and more.
Key Facts
| Days Open | All days except Sundays |
| Timings | 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| Famous for | Spices, condiments, herbs, nuts, various fruits, and more. |
| Nearest Metro Station | Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) and Tis Hazari (Red Line) |
What Makes Khari Baoli Famous?
Khari Baoli is a destination for many shops in Old Delhi, which are still known by their serial numbers. One such shop is 21 Number Ki Dookan which means “Shop Number 21,” and is run by the 10th generation of its founders. This shop was established in the 17th – 18th century. Several other shops in this market have been existing for 400 years!
This marketplace attracts renowned chefs who come to hunt for perfect spices, nuts and various herbs at wholesale rates. Besides this, it is also flanked by other markets, such as the Gadodia Market, situated on its southern side and was established in the 1920s by wealthy merchants. This place is also home to several spice shops. GB Road and the famous Sadar Bazaar are situated on the other end of Khari Baoli.
Best Shops In Khari Baoli
Explore the stores in the market:
1. Shyam Stores
This store is popular for dry fruits and nuts. The quality is fine, and the store’s services are up to the mark. You get authentic walnuts, raisins, almonds, and various dry fruits here.
2. Yash Pal & Sons
If you are scrounging for some healthy seeds, then this is the place to be. They have pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Kashmiri cardamom, and several ayurvedic herbs that help build good health.
3. DilliGrocery (Ram Narain Prem Narain)
4. Saradar Ji Churan Wale
If you are looking for something tangy and chatpatta, then head to Sardar ji Churan wala. They deal in spiced mango slices, imli toffee, silver-coated cardamom, fruits dried up, and more. They also sell digestive toffees and churan balls that help with a smooth tract.
What is the market rate of Khari Baoli?
Depending on the quantity and weight, the prices of each condiment and spice differ. If you are looking for different kinds of cardamom, then depending on their availability and if they were imported, the price could be slightly above the local cardamom.
Powdered herbs are sold for an average of ₹400/- per kilogram. Packaged items worth 100-250 grams can range between ₹70/- to ₹300/-. International products might be above this range.
Best Food Outlets
Shopping can be exhausting. Time for munching and regaining energy:
1. Kake Di Hatti
This place is popular for its stuffed paranthas and dal makhani. They specialize in North Indian cuisine, with special thalis and proper, heavy lunch made in pure desi ghee.
2. Soni Bhojanalaya
They are known for serving a variety of thalis, with pappad and chapattis and freshly cut salad. The place is hygienic and has left several customers satisfied.
3. Shiv Misthan Bhandar & Restaurant
For your sweet tooth, Shiv Mishthan Bhandar and Restaurant is the place to be. They serve gulab jamuns, jalebis, rabdi, rasmalai, and more.
How to Reach Khari Baoli?
Public DTC Buses, auto rickshaws and taxi cabs can be hired from any corner of Delhi to arrive at Khari Baoli. The nearest metro station is the Chandni Chowk (1.2 km) metro station on the Yellow Line and Tis Hazari (2.9 km) on the Red Line.
Khari Baoli Market Timings
The Khari Baoli Market is open every day except Sundays. The shops at Khari Baoli generally open at 11:30 a.m. and shut down by 6:00 p.m.
History
Khari Baoli Market is close to the Fatehpuri Masjid, built in 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of the wives of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It roughly translates to a salty stepwell constructed during Shah Jahans reign and used for bathing animals. This stepwell was built at the same time when the Lahori Gate [a fortified gateway situated on the western end of the Red Fort] was created. Lahori Gate is one of the 14 Gateways that surrounded the fortified city of Old Delhi and was called Shahjahanabad in those times. The gate is called so because a road stretching through this gateway leads to Lahore [now in Pakistan]. However, today this road remains closed and buried under the market. However, there is no trace of the Baoli as it is dilapidated. The Archeological Survey of India has been preserving this monument and working on its restoration.
Get on the spicey trail and explore Khari Baoli—experience History in the present at the market.
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