KB Coffe Day...

One of the most popular shopping destinations in Delhi goes by the name of Karol Bagh, one of the busiest, bustling market areas situated right in the heart of the city. I have seen the market and the way it has changed with time over the past couple of decades, not only because I have been frequenting the place ever since I can remember but also because I live in close proximity to the place. Karol Bagh is not as planned as Connaught Place, as specialized as Chandni Chowk or as export-surplus oriented as Sarojini Nagar and this fact is exactly what works for its favor. This market, also known as KB for short, is a treasure trove for the keen shopper and those who have an eye for details and a knack for haggling with vendors.
The Karol Bagh market has fond memories in my mind when I used to accompany my mother to her shopping haunts for the most random household items like utensils, towels and upholstery. Most Delhiities are aware of the famous Monday-bazaar, which, as you might have guessed it, takes place on the first day of the working week. Don’t visit KB on a Monday if you want to shop in huge, glassy showrooms because they are closed for the day. But street vendors selling all sorts of merchandise take over the streets of the market on the same day and the place is submerged in a sea of humanity. Trust me, you have to experience this once in your lifetime. The vendors shout creative one-liners animatedly (no point writing them here, you have to hear them) at the top of their lungs to attract attention from their potential customers. Aunties, uncles and quite a few people from the younger crowd jostle each other to pick up a pair of sandals for Rs 100, pillow covers for Rs 30 each and imitation jewellery for even lesser amounts.
Till about five years ago, Karol Bagh was seen as a not-so-hip shopping haunt for fat, Punjabi ladies who came to buy their salwar-suits and gold jewellery. But the image has been continually changing with big brands opening up their flashy stores in the market. As far as I can remember, this metamorphosis actually started in 2000 when the Tata Group launched the first store of their Westside chain in KB, and that changed the image of the market over night. Since then, brands have been making a beeline to acquire showroom spaces at good locations in the market. If you are looking for branded exclusive shopping, Westside of course takes the top spot; but there are other good choices like Jainsons Westend, Miss Players, Spykar and the recently opened Fabindia, Peter England’s People and Benetton. If you are shopping for footwear, KB will leave you spoilt for choice. Whether you’re shopping on the streets or in the stores, you will find the exact match for your feet. Though there is nothing much to say about the quality of the shoes sold on the street, you can find decent quality in the shops, especially Venus Steps, Bata and Vansons.
Karol Bagh is widely known for its bridal trousseau offerings (remember Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Monsoon Wedding?). RCKC, Zohra Emporium and KBSH are some of the places in Delhi synonymous with gorgeous ethnic wear. Check out the numerous jewellery shops in KB (the maximum number for any place in Delhi) for beautiful designs at competitive prices. If you’re planning to do up your house, be sure to visit one of the most famous furnishing shops in Delhi, Jagdish Store. The prices may be a bit steep, but the exclusivity of the goods ultimately gives you value for money. The place also has a great option for people looking to buy second-hand books, though it is nothing compared to Darya Ganj on Sundays. Visit the pavement side of Arya Samaj Road to get a feel of what I’m saying.
Ghaffar Market, one of the biggest electronic market places in India, is a must-visit for any electronics connoisseur. Your eyes will be blinded, even in the evenings, by the gleam and flash of metal on gadgets. Knock-offs of designer watches and sunglasses, latest mobile phones and accessories, Chinese mp3 players and even imported cosmetics are widely available in the wide and narrow alleys of the market. If you’ve wanted to unlock the iPhone your cousin got you from the States for a long time, then Ghaffar is the place you’ve been looking for.
How can we talk about Karol Bagh without mentioning about its food joints? KB is truly a gastronomist’s delight and there is something to suit everybody’s taste buds. There is the famous Roshan Di Kulfi, known for its delicious kulfi-faluda and chhole-bhature among others. Taste the kulfi at Roshan’s and there’s a slim chance that you’ll ever like the kulfi elsewhere ever. Then there is Punjab Sweet House, popular for its delectable fare of dishes like paneer tikkas and sambhar dosas. Then there’s the usual McDonalds and Pizza hut for the not-so-adventurous. Oh! I also have to mention this place called Raffles, with a bake shop called Anjlika, which has an amazing icecream soda menu and some of the best baked dishes ever like chicken croissants and paneer rolls. Also, don’t forget to have a taste of the fruit-chaat and golgappas from the road-side chefs; most of them are finger-licking good. I used to miss the presence of a Café Coffee Day in KB and used to wonder why they hadn’t opened a shop there as yet, considering the number of footfalls the market gets. It seems like God, or rather CCD heard my prayers. Within the last six months, two coffee chops of the same chain have miraculously appeared out of nowhere in the shopper’s haven. I’m already drooling here, aren’t you?