Located near the Lal Quilla, the Khari Baoli Market is the home of all imaginable spices. Whenever you go to Old Delhi, this is one of the most famous places that you can mention.
It is one of the largest spice markets in the world and it certainly lives up to its expectations. The kind of spice that you are looking for does not really matter because you will get it all here. The spices as well as the condiments in the market are one of a kind and are quite friendly.
Remember to push through the crowd to get what you are looking for whenever you visit here. The whole of Delhi is excited to find a spice or two here.
No-No Shopping is not easy here…
No one said that shopping here is easy. Apart from having to fight through crowds to get to your spice of choice, there are also loads of motorcycles and their loud horns may prove trying at times. The noise is out of this world. As you walk around, you will realize that the lanes are really narrow.
You will have to make way for men who are carrying sacks of produce. Careful, not get knocked down! The handful of hawkers may sway you too, leaving you curious as to what exactly they are selling. The traffic is ruthless. Be prepared because this is the atmosphere that the market offers.
Khari Baoli focuses on all Indian spices and does not really digress from this. However, if you want to take a break from the madness you can enjoy a cup of masala tea in any of the eateries.
History of the Market
Khari Baoli was established in the 17th century. It is one of the few markets that developed rapidly in Delhi. Founded by Fathepuri Begum, the market was for the sole purpose of making trade easy. The name Khari Baoli is not just a random pick, instead, it carries its valuable meaning. Let’s break it down- Khari means ‘salty’ while Baoli means ’step’. Therefore Khari Baoli was a water step that was used for bathing animals. Unfortunately, this came and passed with history because there isn’t a Khari Baoli that exists today.
There are thousands of traders in the market. They are determined to provide you with everything that you require. Granted, Khari Baoli is not really the most organized market. The disorganization is evident. But this is not to take away from the fact that it is one of the best spice markets that you will ever find.
An Enormous Market
Owing to the range of spices that are found on these narrow streets, it is no surprise that chefs all over the world visit this market to find the perfect flavour for their dishes. The good news is that the prices are rather friendly and the range of spices that you will get is truly unimaginable. The number of spice shops that you will find here cannot really be counted. They are a dime a dozen in every corner.
There are old shops that never changed their names. You will still know them today, as they were known in the 17th century. Traders come and go but the shops still remain. From generations to generations, the shops have been passed on and keep being passed on. Each and every shop that you see here is historic.
There are spices that are raw, processed while others have been mixed with milk solid to make them a bit sweeter. Khoya serves a variety of purposes such as making Indian sweets as well as milk cake. There are not the only kind of spices that you will find here. There are a handful of others. That also come with different mixtures. Once you get to the Chawri Bazaar station then you can simply walk to the spice market and relish in its spice glory.
