Walk in Chandini Chowk
I am attaching a few snaps which I had taken on my visit
to the old Delhi, the soul of the capital city.
Its just amazing to see the contrast when one walk in the old city
area, to be specific the area which is beyound daryaganj. It is
somewhat close to what I have experienced in Mumbai during my visits
to Bhayander by lanes and comparing it to Colaba...what a stark
comparison!!
Old Delhi on a Sunday evening is laid back from outside but as you
reach Daryaganj you are hit by a storm of book worms stampeding at the
footpath where many a makeshift book stalls sell books from Quantum
Physics to Victoria's Secret catalogue to Jack Welch biography....and
I was surprised to see Calvin and Hobbs series in just Rs.100/-. What
a steal but my friend disagreed who thought KamaSutra for Rs.250 was
the best buy. Choices to suit all tastes- that's what is Daryaganj
Sunday book market is all about.
After traversing through the book market one gets into the Sunday shoe
market which on the day was stripped off because of some police
raid...but mind you even Nike n Reebok would not be able to find the
fake ones out which are sold here at throwaway prices.
After the shoe market (actually this market has all kinds of stuff
selling but basically second hand) you find yourself near to the Jama
Maszid......I saw a large crowd next to the compound and fought my way
inside to be a spectator to the grand MENDA Fights--a Menda is a Bakra
which is prepared for such head banging fights. I was quiet taken away
by the enthusiasm of the public who had turned up in numbers to be a
part of the fight. The money on stake was decent--Rs.16,000 for the
winner---the winner being the Ram standing on the four after as many
bangs. One could see such a sport?! only in this part of Delhi.(image
18 & 20) It was fun watching this...but I was growing impatient as I
was more keen to taste the lazeez non veg Mughlai cuisine at the
famous Kareems. I started walking towards the Jama Maszid compound
-(image 1 & 9) where I was cornered by a group of wonderful kids and a
dog wanting me to click their snaps ...(image 2 & 15). They were just
amazing kids enjoying every moment of the photo shoot...boy they had
the looks and the pose...poor doggie boy who seemed to be least
interested to be the part of the entire affair was also dragged in the
centre of the group photo.
(Image 5 &4)...the market is full of interesting shops selling in
unique stuff....one can't get bored in here....I had the best Kheer
(image 3) and the Shahi Tukda (image 8)....mouth watering
dishes......its so cheap that u just can't help stopping urself for
another plate.

All in all it was a fun get away as I got some good shots, good food
and good fun. Bliss cannot be more ful than this!!