Where to Shop for Diwali in Delhi? Top Budget Destinations

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Diwali is just around the corner and if you are in Delhi then you are at the right place at the right time. Delhi celebrates Diwali in a grand style and therefore it is the best place for shoppers where they can find tons of shopping items that they can use for the festive season. Although, I am from Mumbai, but I believe that Delhi offers a better shopping experience especially for budget consumer like me who looks out for better bargain deals and discounts and offers at every other shop that I pass through. The shopping fever usually grips Delhi much before the festival date and shoppers stroll through narrow lanes and streets to find the best deals that they can get their hands on. I was just reading The Economic Times and it says that according to ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) Delhi will see around 40% slash in their Diwali budget because of the inflation that has hit the nation. The survey also claims that most middle class families have decided to cut down their festive spending because of eroding purchasing power. So, let me take you on a ride to some of the best places in Delhi where you can enjoy Diwali shopping without worrying about your budget.

Dilli Haat

If you are looking for some budget shopping during the festive season of Diwali, I would recommend going to Dilli Haat that offers you a wide range of options. This small open air food plaza that opened up in 1994 also offers wide range of shopping options for locals as well as tourists from all over India and abroad. The entry fee for Dilli Haat is Rs. 20 for adults and Rs. 10 for kids. While there are some shops here that are permanent there are many stalls that you might only find for some time.

The haat word actually means weekly market or bazaar in the local language. The market is strategically located close to INA market so in case you are taking the metro you can get down at Netaji Subash Place Metro Station and you will find the market right adjacent to the metro station. Although, you can find clothing and many more items here Dilli Haat is a best place for finding artifacts and home decor items that you can buy for Diwali celebrations.

You will also find some great food stalls here that serve fast food items that you usually find across various states of India so after you are done shopping, I would recommend that you try your hands on mouth watering snacks and food items that you find here. There is another Dilli Haat in Pitam Pura near TV Tower where you can experience the same shopping excitement.

Chandni Chowk

I think most Indians are aware of Chandni Chowk even if they have never ever been to Delhi because it has remained the shopping hub for the national capital for many decades now. The narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk can offer you more shopping thrills than the most talked about malls in Delhi. Flooded with all kinds of store Chandni Chowk offers an experience that no one must miss out if you are in Delhi.

If you need clothes for Diwali what better place than heading to Katra Neel that can offer you wide variety of clothes. I bet you will find more variety here than anywhere else as you can find fabrics such as silk, satin, cotton, crepe and muslin and much more, you name it and you have it. Moti Bazaar is quite popular for shawls and I guess many people do shopping for winter here in advance. Bhagirath Palace is one stop destination for all the new electrical goods and appliances that you need.

Usually, when I am done shopping and carrying loads of shopping bags I end up in some of the restaurants here at Chandni Chowk to regain some strength that will take me back to my hotel. Oh, let me remind you that many shops here remain shut on Sundays so probably shop here on Saturdays.

Palika Bazaar

Connaught Place is undoubtedly the best circular market that you can find in Delhi, but I found that the shops here were bit on the higher income side which might not appeal to all buyers and certainly not for a bargain hunter like me, so I decided to go underground. Well, right below this sprawling circular market is another air-conditioned market known as Palika Bazaar.

When I went here for the first time I was stunned by the extremely low prices that I found here compared to the prices that I usually find in Mumbai. With more than 100 shops this place seemed to me like a shopaholic’s paradise where bargainers can go for loot without any gun slinging. However, you need to know some bargaining skills that can help you to make the most of the time and even patience because the market is quite big so take your time to grab the right deals.

Lajpat Nagar

This is another shopping destination in Delhi that can you can explore without burning more money. Lajpat Nagar is the right place for you if you are looking out for new accessories, footwear, bags and clothes that you can wear for Diwali celebrations. This place offers stalls and shops that can keep you involved and I really mean it. You can get lost here in time so keep plenty of time on your side to shop the right deals.

I believe Lajpat Nagar is much popular for salwar kameez’s for women and Lucknow-style chikan embroidery that are also popular internationally. You can also find home decor and furnishing stores here it basically offers more of personal items than bed and bath items. The market remains close on Monday so weekends is the best time to be here.

Sarojini Nagar

Well, I can go on and on about Diwali shopping in Delhi because the city offers shop-till-you-drop kind of experience to shoppers. Since in the beginning of the blog post I talked about the rising inflation and consumer’s cutting down cost, I thought it would be better to give my reader one more shopping destination that they can enjoy. Sarojini Nagar is among the budget markets that you can find here in the national capital that offer best items at throwaway prices.

I found many export quality items being sold here at cheaper rates so I was a bit worried if I am buying the right items. I finally found that most of the items here are rejected export items so they end up being here and being sold at such low rates. What can I say, I think that is a blessing for many bargain hunters like me that won’t mind microscopic errors, after all I am a middle class Indian eyeing for the best shopping deals.

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