There are many tourists’ attractions in Delhi. Some of them are ancient monuments, some are grand religious destinations while some are magnificent gardens but today I am taking to one such place that will a complete blast. It is a picture of actual India. Yes I am talking about the famous CHANDNI CHOWK IN DELHI which is an area in Old Delhi with lots of shopping stores, several restaurants and of course diversified religious places.You must be wondering why I said that you can see the actual India because it is an ancient market place with too much congestion on the roads and small lanes but still it is quite charming. If you want to feel real India you must wander the roads and lanes of this colourful, super busy and crowded Chandni Chowk. Chandni Chowk literally means a place or square with moonlight. It got its name because of the reflection of moon in the canal water. Today Chandni Chowk comes in the Centre North Delhi area.The famous Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan created this place in the seventeenth century. It was designed by Emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter Jahan Ara. When it was built it had tree lined canals flowing down in the middle of the street as a part of water supply scheme and the moon light reflected in the water but now the canals are closed but the market place is still one of the most famous and the largest whole sale market of India.You can expect here to see artisans, traders, sellers, several auto rickshaws who never used any sort of traffic rules, loud sounds to sell goods, a mixed smell , fast movement of people, etc. with about more than 2500 stores Chandni Chowk is set to go online with the help of search engine Mater Google India. A common website for all the shops of Chandni Chowk is now opened for public use. Chandni Chowk is spread from Lahori Darwaza or Lahore Gate to Fatehpuri Masjid (mosque) which is situated at the western end and built by one of the wives of Shah Jahan in the year 1650.Chandni Chowk was divided into three different parts. First part was from Lahori Darwaza to Chowk Kotwali known as Urdu Bazar was closest to the Royal residence. Second part was from Chowk Kotwali to Chandni Chowk known as Johri Bazar while the third part was from Chandni Chowk to Fatehpuri Masjid known as Fatehpuri Bazaar. Chandni chowk is quite significant place till the start of twentieth century because all the Mughal royal processions were passed through the Chandni Chowk and this tradition was continued till 1903 when Delhi Durbar held. Chandni Chowk street usually had three main types of buildings known as Haveli, Kucha and Katra. Chunnamal Haveli is one of the largest preserved buildings in the area. The area where Chandni Chowk is located is known as Shahjahanabad. This area is situated between Lal Qila (Red Fort) and Fatehpuri Mosque. The very popular Jama Masjid built in the year 1650 lies just in the vicinity of Chandni Chowk.Religious DiversityThe best cultural and religious harmony can be seen in Chandni Chowk as it has diversified religious places jwelled in its street. These are from Red Fort side Digamber Jain Lal Mandir built in 1656, Naya Mandir in Dharmpura built in 1807 (first temple having a shikhar), Hindu Gauri Shankar Temple built in 1761, Christian Central Baptist Church created in 1814, Sikh Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib built in the year 1783, Muslim Sunehri Masjid built in 1721, Muslim Fatehpuri Masjid built in 1650.The Markets in Chandni ChowkThe market here consists of several shops selling beautiful sarees, clothes with chikan and zari work, books, shoes, electronic goods, consumer goods, accessories, etc. You can do a good window shopping here if you enjoy shopping. The Chandni Chowk is divided into different markets for the convenience of buyers. These are as follows: Nai Sarak has books, stationery, musical instrument shops, Cloth market has various textiles, Dariba Kalan has silver items and jewellery shops, Chawri Bazaar has zardosi items and laces, Ballimaran has shoes and optical shops, Flea market has antiques market with bargain power, Old Lajpat Rai Market has electronics goods shops, Cycle market has cycle shops and photography shops, Moti Bazaar has Shawls and pearl selling shops, Khari Baoli Has dry fruits, pulses, food grains, spices and saffron shops while Tilak Bazaar sells chemicals.The Authentic Indian FoodThis place is very famous for its variety of Indian food. The best Indian food servers are the Ghantewala Halwai (since 1790), Natraj’s Dahi Bhalle (since 1940), Kanwarji Bhagirathmal Dalbijiwallah (mid 19th century), Chaatwala (since 1923), Bikaner Sweet Shop, Gianiji Ka Falooda (since 1947), Parathe Wali Gali special paratha shops (1875 – 1886), Haldiram’s the most famous restaurant originally belonged to this place, Old Famous Jalebiwala, etc. Mouth watering foods and snacks are served here but you need to have good digestive system. The deep fried pure ghee jalebis of this place are extremely delicious and one should not miss that.Though congested with people, auto rickshaws, vendors, shops and loud noise it is still one of its kind places and should not be missed without experiencing it once in a lifetime.RUCHI MAHAJAN