Before we start, I have to say something. I am so disappointed with myself regarding the pictures of this post. I could have done so much better what with the Old Delhi backdrop, huge, HUGE piles of books all around. Believe me when I say this, this market is huge as hell!
Yes, that’s what the first thing that hits you when you reach here. Let’s not count the obvious culture shift that you feel from the rest of Delhi.
I know it sounds annoying to hear it repeatedly, but trust me, it is just not possible to explain in words how big this market is!
My friend and I got down at the ‘New Delhi Railway station’ metro station and took an auto for the market. We told the auto guy a point to drop us off, but the humongous piles of books began much before that point. We were like, should we get down mid-way or the best is yet to come?
As far as I am concerned, the entire market is the bomb. I am not aware of any best stalls or corners as such. You will find treasures and prices that might make you gasp. I got a lovely kids’ hard bound book for like 40 INR!! That’s less than a dollar!
There is this one big stationery shop that has all sorts of cool notebooks for really cheap prices. Most of the things here are sold by weight. You should definitely go to this shop for notebooks and some other knick-knacks. If you only want to visit this shop and not the entire market, ask anyone about it once you reach the main lane of Daryaganj book market.
If you have heard about Delhi’s street shopping for clothes all your life, this market is that same thing but for books.
Bargain shamelessly.
Don’t show that you were dying to own a copy of that book you chanced upon.
Don’t show that you were dying to own the edition that you chanced upon.
The more you walk, the more your hunger to walk further will increase. Dress comfortably for that. Carry water.
That’s my haul!
I see no reason why you shouldn’t head here the coming weekend.
Look at that Mughal-art inspired book, this book was like a magnet.
[Plus, one of my favorite Instagram-ers, India Pictures, is having an Instagram meet in Old Delhi on the 19th of April. It starts at 6 am though 😛 ].
Sagan ke lifafe (envelopes), anyone?
Life of Srish 
So many books!! Was planning to go but couldn’t make it; After seeing the pics, i am going definitely now 🙂 Thank you!
You totally should :)) thanks for all the kind words roopesh!
Welcome 🙂
I loved that blue spiral diary ❤
That is also a book bhakti :)) the one that I have mentioned in the post!
Oooh. It looks like a diary :3
Bartering for books! Can’t do that on Amazon!
Thanks for visiting Jeff :)) true that, can’t barter while online shopping, but places like these are gold
That looks amazing! And you found some great reads as well 🙂
OMG!!! look at those books… 🙂 I could be around forever 🙂 200Rs a KG!??? like seriously?
Okay, I have something long to say as usual. YOu read too much, and most of books I see of high intellect. Still, you don’t do intellectual posts. More books readers are generally over thinkers but you never reveal your personal side here.
I mean, Do u intentionally hide the personal self or it is natural? Messed question, but try to understand my meaning
I honestly don’t read a lot of intellectual books. I should but I don’t. I don’t do posts about personal life because I don’t enjoy the process of writing about it, but whenever I write about books, I write exactly what I feel. It is not like I am purposely trying to hide or be restrictive. Although, yes, I think my book opinion posts need to be much better than they are today, more expressive and structured. I think Ill improve eventually. 🙂
Ooh, definitely a must-visit the next time I come there. That diary looks so super-cool!
Okay wow 😀
Books sold by the kilogram? I’m so jealous!
Dude, you guys need to visit this whenever you are in Delhi next!
Might come there just for this. And Sarojini of course 😛
smart girl 😀
On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 11:30 AM, Life of Srish wrote:
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I’m about to head there in a minute. I just saw this post. Thanks.
It is really an enticing array.I am heading for the bazaar tomorrow, I will try to post some fresh finds
Thanks Rupak! I would love to read about your experience there.
Do we get any new books? I’m looking for .. Hard bound editions big books… Which are maybe 1000-2000 Rs on the net..
Hey Tango!
You can find really anything, i have seen supremely pretty hardcovers! the only problem is that you cannot decide and then search for something. Because it’s like a random market, you don’t know what to search for, or what you may find! Hope this clarifies. 🙂
Thx mate
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Wow!!!!! I’m going there asap. Delighted*