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KHAN MARKET-DELHI

Khan market is supposed to be one of the most costly high end streets in India and the most luxurious shopping market in Delhi. The Khan market is a U -shaped place with variety of outlets filled with book shops, textile showrooms and the most expensive boutiques and lifestyle stores. Though Khan market was actually started in the year 1951 it got its shape or established itself as a commercial market only in the 1990's. During the early days in 1951 the place was just a double storey complex with 154 shops on the ground floor and nearly 74 flats in the first floor mainly meant for the shopkeepers who had their shops in the market.

The Khan market is mainly named after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan who is popularly known as the Frontier Gandhi or Badshah Khan who is a great spiritual leader and an eminent political personality. The shops in the Khan market were granted as seed land to immigrants from the North-West Frontier Province after the partition of India. The Khan market has lot of specialties added to it, Delhi's first apartment complex known as "Sujan Singh Park", was built in the year 1945 by Walter Sykes George and named after the grandfather of this enclave's most famous resident, writer Khushwant Singh and is in the vicinity of this high end market. Khan market also houses the most famous Taj hotel of the Vivanta chain which was originally the "Ambassador hotel" whose construction is a blend of British and Art Deco style.

During the early years at least till 1980 this place remained as home for the localites of the market though it catered mostly to the up market Golf Links, Sundar Nagar, and diplomatic crowd from Chanakyapuri in the neighborhood. But soon with a boom in the real estate and other expanding family factors gave way many families living in the Khan market moved out of the complex. This is how most of the houses were sold and started with commercial interest. Cushman & Wakefield one of the popular Global real estate consultants conducted a survey in 2010 on all the main streets in the world to study the rental values of all the retail shops across the globe. The survey results announced that Khan Market was ranked as the world's 21st most expensive retail high street for shopping in the world and the 1st in India. New York's Fifth Avenue tops the list by the survey.

The Shops in the Khan Market Exhibit a wide range of varieties

Apart from the localites anybody visiting Delhi will never miss the Khan market for apart from its shopping areas it is also noted for its food joints like cafes, restaurants and street food corners. Khan market being the costliest and well established market of India it is very difficult to see bargain hunters in this place. The crowd visiting the Khan market will be mostly the cream Indians and expats of Delhi. The shops in the Khan market exhibit a wide range of varieties like they include book shops, ethnic garments showroom, shops for household appliances, sportswear, pet shops and lot of shops for foodies and also for those who enjoy drinks.

The Khan market has some extremely good tailors who cater to the present vogue and also in the stipulated time. There are lot of shops which exclusively deal with ayurvedic medicines, clinics for skin care like the Biotique and Khadi. Most of the shops in Khan Market have the facility of beautifully done up lounges and balconies to relax in overlooking the street. Khan market is concentrated in the Southern part of New Delhi which is very close to the India Gate. This market is open throughout the week and is closed only on Sundays. This is one of the most favorite markets of the diplomatic group of Delhi and the expats living. This renowned shopping destination of Delhi has a unique feature with two parallel U's with some extension. The Khan market along with lifestyle showrooms also has stores which deal with groceries and there are Opticians as well.

Khan Market glitters with excessive pride:

There are some extra ordinary household furnishing shops. This area has more of branded showrooms. There are also shops in Khan Market which deal with lights and grand chandelier. There are lots of bakers in and around Khan Market. Khan market has leading brands of cosmetic shops which are really very expensive but still there are particular class of people who visit these shops. It is not only the up market of Delhi but also one of the hep places in Delhi to shop. Khan market can also be discussed with excessive pride because it has a number of international cuisine like the Italian, Chinese and Pan Asian. The coffee shops in Kahn market is the happening place for youngsters to hang out.

There are exclusive shops dealing with exotic vegetables, fruits, meat, imported sauces and cheese. Some of the most popular shops in Khan which sells elegant Indian ethnic wear are Fab India and Anokhi and lot of designer boutiques of which Ogaan is a very famous one. Some of the noteworthy homes furnishing shops which have their outlets in Khan Market are Good Earth, Neemrana and Fab India. Kahn market is also the place for great International brands like Benetton, Levis and Adidas. The best shop for sunglasses is situated in Kahn market. There are also lot of shops for lingerie's, accessories and cosmetics. Some of the most expensive and popular jeweler shop is situated in Kahn market of which Amrapali is worth a visit. The best shop for silver accessories and precious stones in Silver line in Khan Market.

A Small Area Tucked in Behind Khan Market

This is also a place for book lover for shops like Bahri & Sons, Full Circle and Faqir Chand & Sons have excellent collections of books on all heads. There are also music shops. There are small shops meant exclusively for the teenagers where they sell beads, chains, bracelets and jootis. A small area tucked in behind Khan Market is the Lok Nayak Bhavan which is noted for lamp shades, chandeliers, shoes and hand bags. Some of the popular places of Delhi like India International Center for Performing Arts and Lodhi gardens are situated near Khan Market.

Hotel Khan Chacha is a land mark for the Khan Market:

Hotel Khan Chacha is a land mark for the Khan Market and is famous for its tikkas. This place is always seen with an enormous crowd. Ranna Gill makes two major fashion statements each year with her summer and winter lines. The rental in Khan Market is exorbitant where per sq ft is about Rs 1,250. Anand Stationers are famous sellers for handmade papers. Also Mehra Bros are noted for their paper made ornaments and Christmas decorations. The Kahn tailor of Khan Market is known for the suits tailored here. The most fashionably dressed business and professional men get their suit stitched from the Khan tailors. The Art shop in Khan Market is situated in one of the complex in the second floor is known for some of the finest art presented by great artist.

The owner of the art shop is always available in the shop for any kind of scorch or deliberation. So one has to look for fine Indian art work, the Art shop is the right place to take walk into. Now Khan Market is the most expensive real estate commercial market in Delhi. There is a big display of major showrooms in Khan Market mostly being the branded ones. Some of the most popular brands here are Nike, Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Benetton, Goodearth and others. The jewellery shops include Amrapali, Safeera, Silverline etc. SOme of the stores in this area include dlicatessens, bookstores, paints and hardware stores, electronics, kitchenware, and fabric stores.

Almost Cuisines with Specialties From all Parts of the World are Situated in Khan Market

Other notable places are Raj stores, Anokhi, Sanjiv Mehra's Allied Stores, Cooptex, Allied Party Xpress, Aamayo, Route 04, The Kitchen, Market Cafe, Cafe Turtle, Albake, Big Chill Cafe, Cafe Zaffiro, Barista, McDonalds, Subway, Kriti Creations, and a general store, National Cloth House and Khadi Gramodyog. Some of Delhi's best kebab shops are situated in Khan Market like the Salim's Kebabs, Khan Chacha's Kebab's and momos. There are several government offices situated opposite to Lok Nayak Bhavan with a special area here meant for lighting fixtures. Almost cuisines with specialties from all parts of the world are situated in Khan Market like American, Italian, Thai, Mexican, Continental, Malaysian, Burmese, and Lebanese & Indian etc.

Khan Market is Surrounded by Residential Owned Both by Government and Private Properties:

Khan market is surrounded by residential owned both by government and private properties. Some of the popular residential complexes are Golf Links, Lodhi Estate, Shahjahan Road, Pandara Road, Rabindra Nagar and Sujan Singh Park. Khan market is one of the green areas in Delhi and home to many noteworthy bureaucrats and famous people from the bollywood field and the most famous author Khushwant Singh lived here till recently he passes away. Some of the other Government organizations in this area are he India Habitat Centre, offices of the World Wide Fund for Nature, and other organizations. The underground station of the Delhi Metro Violet line situated in front of the Taj Hotel is of a big service to the Khan market.