Friday, January 3, 2014

Colors and Flavors of New Delhi's Bhogal Market

 

We've just returned to Mussoorie after spending almost a week in Delhi. Once again, we stayed at the incomparable Hotel Kabli. In addition to its old world charm, great service and reasonable price (Rs. 999/night or US$15.99), Kabli's is situated in a corner of South Delhi that lies well off the beaten path followed by most foreign tourists. 

Kabli is on the edge of the Bhogal Market, a place where life is lived on the street, meaning that it offers a veritable feast for the senses. There's a wonderful cross section of India's diverse people groups in Bhogal. We saw Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, a Sikhi gurudwara, and a Christian church. Adding to Bhogal's character is a significant number of people who have been displaced from Afghanistan. We were also impressed by the warmth and friendliness that we encountered everywhere in Bhogal Market.

Here's a slideshow that offers a peak into life on the streets of Bhogal. 


Every Tuesday evening, Bhogal hosts a night market, when the normally busy streets fill to overflowing. The regular shops and street vendors continue as usual, but countless additional sidewalk stalls and stands are set up for the occasion. Here's a short video clip that gives some sense of the throngs of people that turn out to take advantage of the night market.


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