Chronicles of Delhi's famous Chandni Chowk

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to Chandni Chowk.

Chandni Chowk means Moonlight Square and is the oldest market of Delhi. It dates back to 1638, when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi. His daughter Jahanara developed a square, around which a bustling market developed. Today Chandni Chowk is home to silversmiths, repair shops, clothiers, spicy street food vendors and traditional sweetmeat shops.

The tour will start from the Digambar Jain temple that is situated across the Red Fort. Originally built in 1658, it is the oldest Jain temple of Delhi. Behind the main temple building is an avian veterinary hospital. Further on is a Hindu temple, the Gauri Shankar temple. This temple was established a century later and is one of the oldest temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Continue your walk down the narrow market lanes and soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the colorful bazaars.

Next stop is Moti cinema. It was the hotbed of political activism during India’s freedom struggle. A short distance from Moti cinema is the haveli (residence) of Begum Samru, the only Catholic ruler in India. Your guide will share with you the history of this converted Catholic Christian.

Visit the Central Baptist Church, one of the oldest churches of Northern India. The religious theme continues as you reach Gurudwara Sheesh Ganj. The Gurudwara was built in 1783 to commemorate the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to convert to Islam. Also visit the old Sunehri Masjid Mosque.

Another key attraction of Chandni Chowk is Ghantewala, the 225 year old sweets shop of Delhi. It was set up in 1790 when George Washington was the US president, Mozart was performing in Vienna, France was in the grip of the French Revolution, Britain was ruled by King George III and Shah Alam II was the Mughal emperor who ruled Delhi.

As you continue to wind your way through the narrow lanes, you will pass by the historic Town Hall and the havelis of the Urdu poet Ghalib and a wealthy local merchant Chhunnamal.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel.