Sarojini Market

Courtesy : Wikipedia

Sarojini Nagar is located just 1 to 2 kms walking distance from Laxmibai Nagar. Like Laxmibai Nagar, Sarojini Nagar is also primarily a Government residential colony but is one of the popular shopping destinations of South Delhi. 

History of Sarojini  Nagar Market New Delhi

Sarojini Nagar was earlier called Vinay Nagar and also Beena Nagar, Laxmi Bai Nagar was called East Vinay Nagar and Netaji Nagar was called West Vinay Nagar.  Named after the famous woman freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu, this colony is encircled by Safdarjung Enclave, South Extension, Laxmibai Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Chanakyapuri and Netaji Nagar.  It is in the vicinity of Chanakyapuri, the diplomatic enclave, home to various embassies and consulates.

Sarojini Market famous for 

Essentially located in the South West Delhi locality of the city, Sarojini Nagar (or SN as it is sometimes called) is one of the most favoured places in the city to buy clothes and fabrics at unbeatable prices. Apart from a large number of large sized showrooms for various international and local brands, the crux of the market is formed by street side shops which sell garments of all sizes, designs, and colors.

Sarojini Metro Station to Sarojini Nagar Market Distance

Sarojini Nagar Market is centrally located in New Delhi and easily approachable from any place. The nearest Metro Station is Sarojini Market Metro Station.  Sarojini Metro Station to Sarojini Nagar Market Distance is 500 meters or less. 

How many shops are there in Sarojini Market?

The size of the Sarojini Market is quite large.  It would take at least 2 hours to fully explore the market.  Most of the shops (90%) here are family owned.  The market which is surrounded by government housing has the following sections, as locals call them.   

Names of Markets in Sarojini Nagar

The Babu Market

Babu Market is located at the northwest corner of Sarojini Nagar Market. It has four rows of enclosed shops facing each other. Most of the shops are garment and clothes shops. The first shop on the corner of Sarojini Nagar which faces the north-east of Babu Market is Mahindra Sweets. This shop is outside the enclosed area of Babu Market. More famously known as Mucchad Halwayi ki Dukaan, a name given to this shop because its owner had big mustaches. After his demise, his children have taken over the business. On rainy days or during evenings crowds line up in front of this shop to buy hot Samosas and Jalebi. This shop is followed by steel utensil shops which draw large crowds during Dhan-teras.

Some other famous shops in Babu Market include Kurta Payjama shops (Lalaji ki Dukan), Chacha Saree, Keval ki Toy Shop, and Neelgagan Stationary.  One popular shop in Babu Market is Anand Stores where you can buy toiletries, beauty products, undergarments, and a host of other items at wholesale price.   

Subzi Market

The far south end of the Sarojini Nagar market is Subzi Market. Subzi is the common Hindi word for vegetables in North India. This Subzi market is famous for its fresh vegetables in South West Delhi. The vegetable vendors shout at the top of their voices to attract customers to their stalls. Some of these vendors get creative with the calls and rhyme them in a comic way.  Subzi market is also the best place to get the freshest fruits in South West Delhi at a reasonable price. Customers can bargain with vendors when buying large quantities of fruits or vegetables. There is a parking lot right behind the market facing the Government Girls Senior Secondary School No. 1.  Unfortunately most of the vegetable vendors have closed shops and instead you now have lousy clothes shops instead.

Central Market

Facing Subzi market is a section of Central Market that is famous for the shops Alpana Traders, Kalpana Traders, and Furniture Houses.  Till the early 1990s, the corner-most shop of the western end of this market used to be a Sweets Shop. After the father’s demise, the younger generation converted this into a garment shop.  The large central market is shaped like a horizontally extended “I” or “][“. The layout of the market is unique wherein visitors move around in a circle without realizing so.   Shops are lined up in rows and there is a newly constructed open-air path-way in front of the shops for customers to move through the crowds to get into each shop. These pathways are also largely occupied by illegal street vendors. Shops have a front opening and a back opening.

The back Lanes of Sarojini Market 

The back streets (galiyan) of SN market are just as crowded and busy as the path-ways in front of the shops. In fact, the most famous Export Bazaar/Market for clothes is located in the back-streets of the market which is closer to the Subzi market. On one side of the central market, there are famous bakery shops like cake n pastry shop, Mohan Restaurant, Paradise Sarees, Grover Furniture, Capri store and Atta Chakki. On the other side of the central market which faces the Hanuman Temple are the Lahori Restaurant, Electronic Stores, Ushnak Milk Dairy, Optics Shops, New Photo Life, Band Box Drycleaners and Pharmacy shops. Also this side has become famous for Economy Apparel brands like John Players, Charlie Outlaw, TNG and Cotton County.

Mandir wali side.

The North side of central SN market mostly has footwear shops. Some of the famous shops in this section of the market are Paul Shoes, Paul Photo Studios, Om Boot House, Liberty and Bata Shoes, Woodland Shoes, and Reebok Shoes. There are also a few famous leather belt vendors who occupy the space near the large arches where you may still see the decades-old sign “SAROJINI NAGAR” which is hardly visible today.

Dussehra in Sarojini Market

The annual Dussehra festival is still celebrated with the nine days of Ram-Lila followed by Ravan Dahan. In early 1980s and 1990s RSS Svayam Sevaks (activists) could be seen holding Shakhas (daily gatherings) in their uniquely recognizable short pants and white shirts. Some of the parks in the surrounding area are named after famous freedom fighters and religious leaders such as Swami Vivekanand Park. In late 70s or eighties, this park was also called the Fountain Garden or (Hindi: Fuarey wala park), since it had water fountains and lights that would attract local visitors and kids during evening hours. The park got renovated and landscaped around 2007 and provides respite to tired shopaholics/joggers/residents.

Parking in Sarojini Nagar Market

Parking is not a big problem except on Sundays and Holidays.  One must also visit the new shopping complex plus the automated car parking, the first of its kind.

Sarinini Market Nearest Metro

Sarinini Market is connected directly by Delhi Metro.  The sarinini market nearest metro sttion is sarijini market metro.

How to reach Sarojini Market from Gurugram ?

Gurugram (Gurgaon) is only 25 km from Sarojini Nagar.  One can come here from Gurugram in his own vehicle or take the Delhi Metro.  Gurgaon is connected with Sarojini Nagar with the Yellow line Metro which goes direct to INA.  From interchange for Sarojini Nagar Metro Station.

Distance between Sarojini Nagar Market and INA Market

The distance between Sarojini Nagar and INA Metro is only 2 km.   You can either take a shared R-Tick or Autorickshaw that charges Rs 10 for SN Market. The best option is however the metro.

Is Sarojini Market Open Today 

People often wonder if I go to Sarojini Market will it is open.  The Sarojini Market remains open from 10 am to 9 pm all days except Monday.   On Monday it remains closed, though you might find few shops doing business.