I am really happy to write this and I must tell why. My cousin was visiting us and I asked her to carry her DSLR along (my instinct told me that she would want to shop in some street market and that would let me live my dream of covering a street market with a DSLR). So, yes, here you go with one of the most popular markets of Delhi, the Janpath market. I know that the quality is not awesome as per DSLR standards because it is difficult to understand these cameras in a day but the quality is good enough. 😉
Even if you ask a non-Delhi person, they would surely know about this market as it is extremely famous among the street markets. However, it is identified mostly as an export surplus market. No, it is NOT just that. In fact, among all the things that it offers, that is the least important one (depends on perspective, but you get my point? 🙂 )
Yes, it has many things to offer and, while photos take the limelight, I would like to take you on a literary tour of Janpath. I am listing all the things that this place offers in the order they appear if you start coming towards the market from Connaught Place or any of the exits of Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (if coming from LIC office building, point 2 will appear before point 1):
- Tourist attraction shops: There are different shops in a line catering to any or all of Indian handicrafts, Indian wear, jewelry, Indian footwear, scarves, handbags and t-shirts. Honestly, these have grown to become one of my favorite things in Janpath despite knowing that the stuff in these shops is overpriced. See, these shops are meant to attract tourists but everything is so nicely arranged and beautifully displayed that they are a treat for us too. Although overpriced, the Indian stuff here has good finishing and you really feel like buying everything. My personal favorite here is the chappal (footwear) shop just in the beginning of the line. A store called ‘Punjab 1461’ is really popular among these shops.
This photo is from the Punjab 1461 store.
Isn’t this vintage car model a beauty?
- Export Surplus Market: Done with the tourist-y shops, you turn towards your right and see the export surplus market. What is really amazing about this part is that it begins with some shops of vintage products and jewelry before it moves on to the clothing. The vintage products including Victorian clocks, lanterns, hookahs and lamps are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I can’t even describe how beautiful I find those. Now I have never asked the price but I am sure they won’t be exorbitant, if not cheap. And the jewelry. Sigh. I can’t even. It is very, very beautiful but bargain a lot before you settle for anything.
The second part of this market, i.e. the clothes is what has made this market extremely popular. Now honestly, that part is losing its charm for me. Yes, the clothes are a steal and yes, here I don’t have to be paranoid about the stuff being second-hand (there are so many pieces for everything, it can’t be second-hand), but I don’t know, they don’t feel quite finished and I don’t exactly feel like buying. Maybe, I’ll be back to being greedy about the clothes here soon. However, I really recommend this and if you like exploring street markets, you will love the sheer variety of clothes that you can buy here for amazing prices. I bought two belts for a total of 150INR and you have to look at them to believe how finished and gorgeous they are. Bargain a lot, again. 🙂
That, my friends, is a Pyjama. 🙂 Do you know how much it costs without bargaining? 100 INR.
Denim shirts were all over the place.
That is me, always checking out everything even if I have no money or intention to buy anything. 😛
I love the anchor print pants. Do you?
- Miscellaneous shops and food joints: If you go through the entire clothes market and come back to where you started (it shouldn’t be difficult since the clothes part is in a straight line), you will see a host of shops on walking further. These have stuff ranging from footwear, jewelry, sweets, mouth fresheners and what not. There are also some food joints among which stands the famous Depaul’s. It is famous for its coffee and I am yet to try it. 🙂
- Gujarat Market: If you keep walking further, you will see the Gujarat market beginning which has basically Gujarati women selling their stuff on street side stalls. Another of my favorites, this place has amazingly beautiful mirror work bags, clothes, bed sheets and shoes. I’ll cover this market as a separate post someday. 🙂
So, that’s about it. I know it is really long but this is one of my favorite posts and I have worked really hard on this one. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
PS: Read about another street market of Delhi here that I covered for a professional blog, once upon a time. 🙂 If you want to know more about my obsession with covering the streets, go here.
Life of Srish 
One of the best things about Delhi is all its lovely markets! Dilli Haat, Janpath, etc, etc. A shopper’s delight! 😀
I know!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dilli Haat 🙂
I remember janpath.. the first stop always when i visited delhi was janpath to get all those teeshirts and other goodies .. during my time there was this fashion of wearing big huge tees and shirts .. got all mine from janpath .. and the kohlapuri chappals …
I love the chappals! I did not know even guys frequented Janpath, I mean I thought that was only as a company to the ladies. 😀
First things first. That cover photo of the chain/earrings whatever it is. ❤ it!
Now,let me tell you Srishty that all the street diaries are making me go crazy!! I really reaally want to come to Delhi just for the sake of shopping now 😛
That denim shirt! And those jootis. Sigh!
Love the pics Srish 😉
Thank you Bhakti! 😀 arey, visit soon, and shop and eat to your heart’s content 😀
😀
bas planning hi chal rahi hai…implement kuch ho nahi raha 😀
😛
by the way, I thought everyone would think that first picture is of earrings (they are neckpieces) but now that I look at them, it is kind of clear that they are neckpieces. 😛
haan toh isliye pehle i put chain and then earrings no 😛
I really like these street style posts of yours. Even the other market , the bags were very colourful and attractive . And in this post I absolutely loved those jootis specially the purple one …. 👍
Thanks Shruti 🙂
The other market, Paharganj, is extremely overwhelming. You see so many things, some of which you never imagined to exist, that it becomes too much to handle. This market is easier to go through. We just have to keep walking in straight lines. 😀
I could see that srishty , beautiful really ….definitely going to my bucket list . 😊
I so much miss them.. They were the best part about staying in Delhi…
Thank you Nisha di for visiting! 🙂 I hope to see you more often here. and yes, visit delhi too. 😉
PS: Love your soyabean recipe, going to try it out soon.
Thanks a Lot Srishty :).. Sure I will be doing that 🙂 🙂 and thank you for the Soya Recipe.. Do try and let me know if you like it :)..
I am sure going to tell you the day we try it at home. 🙂
I completely agree with you. DSLR cameras are so intimidating in the beginning. I have got one in July. Would you believe, I have not dared to fiddle with it so far?
You are already doing a great job with your camera.
I loved reading the post. Rather than a haul post, I loved how you illuminated everything. You are right about flea markets. Somehow the clothes never feel very complete. Here, in Kolkata, New Market is famous as well. I do shop, but it has to be like a whole day’s effort and normally I don’t have the patience of browsing through some fifty clothes to buy one.
Oh, I am in my denim shirts phase. Since I am feverish these days, they feel more snug and I actually got a denim shirt just like that one. Guess the price? 😀
Hope to see more photos like these.
look who just commented!! 😀 😀 one of my favorite bloggers out there 🙂 Thank you so much Nivi di for all the kind words. 🙂
I love denim shirts too, but i don’t like wearing jeans in summers so I don’t know what to pair them with, i guess slacks? but wouldn’t they be warm too? what do you wear them with?
and I enjoy reading haul posts too 😀 apart from these market tour posts! 🙂
As I said, I am feverish these days, so, I wear them on their own. But at timesI do team them up with slacks. Or I might just wear them with my skirts.
Hey, thank you so much! Now I feel way too elated! 😀
cool 🙂 skirts is a new one 😀
Pingback: The Quirky Kurta: Street Style 7 | Life of Srish
I’ve picked up some pretty cute stuff from Janpath- ranging from clothes to jewellery to scarves. I try to stick to stalls that stock export stuff, and usually keep away from an item that’s stocked in most shops (I’ve seen so many people wear the same top or tee or skirt that I’ve seen in JP). The trick is to find something fun and unique, and then bargain hard for it. 🙂
That’s true 🙂 Only that I am scared of picking a unique piece in the fear of it being second hand 😛 I am paranoid like that!
Pingback: Which features you like on Life of Srish | Monday Mumbles 4 | Life of Srish
Pingback: 10 quick work outfits | Friday’s List | Life of Srish
I am looking to shop casuals for me .. So I visited to market for market evaluation and found normal price of 350 / per casual shirt .. I am planning to purchase 4 will it be trust worthy..??