Hanuman
Mandir Complex
Situated in the heart of Delhi i.e. Connought place,
tourists and devotees alike throng to this place. But
the major attraction is the bazaar just right next to
the temple.
 Known
as the Hanuman Mandir complex, this market has
around 50 shops. It is a mini version of flea markets,
which are common abroad.
This market is famous for bangles (plastic, metal and
glass) and henna. Metal ware, handicrafts, exotic beads,
rudrakshs, bindis, and products from all over India
are available in this market.
This market, which is adjacent to the temple, has a
lot of parking space. Here, most shopkeepers have permanent
fixtures, but some are temporary.
A lot of NRIs and foreign tourists throng to this
market in search of beads, bangles and bindis. On every
Tuesday many astrologers and palmists have a field day
as they mint money from the people who are eager to know
their future.
If you want to get the best and the most unique mehendi
designs on your palms, this place is the best
option. From Arabic to traditional Indian to block
mehendi, you can take your pick at the type of henna you
want to apply. There is a facility to book the mehendi
walis and the bangle sellers for marriages and other occasions.
If you want a true taste of an Indian weekly bazaar
the Hanuman Mandir complex is the place to be. Terracotta
artefacts, jewellery, garments, dry flowers, beads,
beaded bags and guthis and a lot many more
are available here. The prices are not too high as the
same bindis and bangles can cost a lot in big stores.
But here the same quality is available at a much lower
price, but without its designer tags.
This place is always throbbing with life. Most of the
shoppers are women. The bazaar is at its best on Tuesdays
and Saturdays, as maximum visitors are seen on these
days. Food stalls comprising of chaat, mithais and basically
Indian delicacies are a major crowd favourite. As Riti
Chawla one of the regulars here puts it, "I am basically
from London but when I am in India, I do visit this
market at least twice. The large variety of bangles
and the typical Indian ethnic stuff here is a delight.
As Indian stuff is a hot favourite abroad I do carry
a lot of goodies from here. And the icing on the cake
is the mehendi which I apply on my hands. It turns heads
there."
If you are in a mood for some charity, this place has
an ample scope for it. Beggars throng this place and
won't leave your side till you oblige them. Not many
people know about the existence of this market but once
you have discovered this place in our very own 'Dilli',
you'll visit it again and again.
Jyoti Narang
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