Shopping in the old and congested by-lanes of Delhi is truly a shopper’s delight. One may find some of the most fabulous places that stock unique and beautiful items, ranging from clothes, accessories to souvenirs, books etc. ‘One World News’ brings to you one such place is the Hanuman Mandir Complex of Connaught Place. Existence of this picturesque arcade can be traced down to more than a hundred years. Never short of devotees, the complex was once the hotspot for women who would clink their way to garner love and affection from their partners. Indeed, it’s the bangle market structured right behind the temple that we are talking about, which has surely lost its charm owing to the poor architecture. Lying in the backdrop of the famous and crowded temples, people never get to know of its existence, the fleet of beggars is also a major concern here.
Among the oldest shops of this bangle market, is one that of Babu Churi Wala, where the ever smiling chacha welcomes you like always and shares his thoughts on the changes which he has seen in the market, over a period of time.“There was a time when actors and celebrities could easily be spotted shopping here, but now only a few come-in and that too very rare,” were his first thoughts on the market scenario. It is during the festivals like karva-chauth and Navratri that this place comes back to life, where married women and young girls flock these shops. This place gets majority of its stock from factories in Bhagalpur, Jaipur, Bombay and Amritsar, however, much of it is hand-made also.
If your style is Indian contemporary, then you’ll find plenty of items to fall in love with at this market. Actresses Kiron Kher, Guddi and Amrita Singh are said to be regular customers of this place, famous for its lakh, acrylic, crystal and monalisa bangles. The Royals of Oddisha and Jaipur are also avid admirers and visitors of this place.
Traditionally, bangles reflect the Hindu culture, where a Hindu married woman is incomplete without it, rather is considered inauspicious in vacant arms. One may put it as the conventional jewellery or decoration the ideal Hindu woman adorns. But times have changed, it is more of a fashion statement now, where people from all communities love to display this attractive and striking accessory.
It is not easy to see the popularity and sales going down each day, but one can’t help it either. The commerce of this place has definitely taken a back seat, as the market which once opened only on Tuesdays, is now unable to cover up those sales in one whole week. Comprising of around fifteen shops in all, this place needs a renovation including proper structuring which might help reviving its lost glory and magnetism.
“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever” – Napoleon Bonaparte
If you know of any such places in and around India and want to share your ideas, drop in a feedback at info@oneworldnews.in
