If you are traveling to India and want to get to know the real Indian culture, a visit to the ancient bazaars and Indian markets is a must. Blend in with the teeming crowds and wander among stalls selling colorful spices, fragrant street food, piled fruit and Bollywood outfits. We have collected 9 amazing Indian markets here, including tips for tasting typical Indian food.
1. Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi Perhaps the most famous, largest and most hectic outdoor bazaar is Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. The market, at the famous Red Fort, is an overwhelming place where everything comes to you in scents and colors. Dried fruits, countless kinds of masalas (spices), paneer (fresh Indian cheese), piles of fruits and the craziest vegetable. If you're hungry, buy Chaat, a fried waffle with potato, chickpeas, yogurt and chili. You can eat the best at Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala, a favorite of the locals.
2. Crawford Market, Mumbai
An old acquaintance:the Crawford Market. A gigantic market that already existed during the time of the British Raj and has since been renamed Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market. Here you can stroll past endless meters of stalls and shops with fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, Indian snacks, cosmetics, the best spices and even live animals and pets. This market can be found in the heart of Mumbai not far from the station and is open daily.
3. Floating Vegetable Market, Srinagar
The only one of its kind in India:the floating vegetable market on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, the country's northernmost state. Every day, local farmers sell their fruit and vegetables from traditional boats, shikaras, that float on the lake among lotus plants. To visit this, now touristic attraction, you have to get up early. The market is 'open' between 5 AM and 7 AM.
4. Gola Dinanath Market, Varanasi
In one of the most colorful and oldest cities on earth is perhaps the largest kirana – vegetable market – in Asia. More than 20,000 varieties of medicinal (Ayurvedic) herbs are sold at the Gola Dinanath Market in Varanasi. You can not think of it that there is a cure for it, from diabetes to heart problems. Tip:visit this market with a guide from Agra Walks and experience Varanasi in a special way.
5. Bada Bazaar perfume market, Kannauj
Natural perfume oil, attar, has been produced in the small town of Kannauj on the banks of the Ganges for thousands of years. And so this place, about 80 km from Kanpur, grew into the perfume capital of India. Visit the Bada Bazaar for a fragrant few hours in dozens of perfume shops and test as many scents and oils as you want, there are more than 650 varieties.
6. Khari Baoli Market, Old Delhi
Real lovers of spicy Indian cuisine head to Khari Baoli, one of the largest spice markets in Asia that has been around since the 17th century. Thousands of vendors display hundreds of varieties of herbs, spices, nuts, dried fruits and foods every day. The Khari Baoli Market is located in Old Delhi near the Red Fort.
7. Ima Keithel Market, Imphal
Imphal, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur, has a truly unique market, the Ima Keithel Market is a 'women only' domain, run entirely by (married) women. The colorful market is over 100 years old and is the symbol of women's equality in India. The sales licenses are passed on from generation to generation. The 4,000 women who work there sell food, Indian snacks, spices and craft items.
8. Biryani at Lucky's restaurant, Mumbai
Walking through the Indian markets, you can't escape street food and among all that deliciousness the Biryani is a real classic. The dish is a mix of stewed poultry or beef, various spices such as coriander and mint and fragrant rice. The rulers of the Mughal Empire already loved it and the quintessential Indian dish remains immensely popular. If you are in Mumbai, try the Biryanis at Lucky's restaurant not far from Bandra Station, especially the biryanis with chicken and lamb.
9. Paranthas at Not Just Paranthas, New Delhi Finally, an Indian parantha is always a good idea, as breakfast or snack. It is a kind of pancake that you fill with potatoes, cauliflower, eggs, bananas or Indian dal made from legumes. You dip this in yogurt, curry or chutney. A food tip for New Delhi is Not Just Paranthas (also for tikkas and curries) that has no fewer than 100 creative parantha varieties on the menu. To eat with your right hand.
