Palika Bazaar is a famous shopping destination in Delhi. It is unique in the sense that it is an underground, air-conditioned market situated in exceptionally busy Connaught Place area of Delhi. The market is huge and has close to 400 shops in its complex selling a variety of Indian and imported things, both basic and high-end.

A Haven for Those Looking for Clothes and Electronic Items

Most shops in the market sell clothes and electronic items but you can get a large variety of products here if you have the inclination and the time to search for the products you are looking for. The popularity of the market can be gauged by the fact that at any given point of time, there are approximately 15,000 to 25,000 people present in the complex. Quite naturally, tourists are attracted to the place because of its popularity and the excellent shopping opportunities the place provides them at budget-friendly prices.

The Gates to the Bazaar

Palika Market has seven gates to facilitate entrance from all the sides of the market and to prevent congestion in one particular area. There is a ramp entry facility too available for the physically challenged. The main gate opens towards the Central Park and allows entry to the complex through a staircase.

The Palika Bazaar after Renovation

Palika Bazaar was renovated before the Commonwealth Games and has undergone a complete transformation. The entire complex has new flooring with false ceiling covering the overhead area in the common passage. The lighting has improved dramatically and there is an escalator installed as well to add to the convenience of shoppers. There is a new AC plant too installed after the earlier one which served the market for 30 long years. The market now has new washrooms with better amenities. Other features added during the renovation includes an X-ray machine for screening bags, fire detectors, smoke detectors and a centrally installed monitoring system to screen all areas at once.

Why the Bazaar Attracts Buyers in Large Numbers

The footfalls at Palika Bazaar has increased significantly after Metro railway station got commissioned as people from all over NCR now get easy access to the place. The market is popular for electronic goods and gadgets. You can also buy cheap DVDs and CDs, footwear, curios, artifacts and other showpieces and knick-knacks for decoration or gifting purpose. A recent trend noticed by traders is the gradual increase in demand for readymade garments and the decline in demand for electronic items.

Unlike the earlier days, when Palika Bazaar was a haven for pirated CDs and smuggled electronic items, it is no more the grey market for electronics. Today, the market has a great reputation for selling high quality merchandize. In fact, Palika Bazaar is the only underground air-conditioned market in Asia. It is considered a smart thing to shop at this popular bazaar.

How to Reach Palika Bazaar

The easiest way to reach Palika Bazaar is to take the metro from Lajpat Nagar going towards the Central Secretariat, then shift to the Metro’s Yellow Line and alight at Rajiv Chowk. It takes a few minutes of walking from here to reach the Palika Bazaar.