Karwa Chauth 2025| Karwa Chauth is the northern Indian festival when married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the well-being and longevity of their husbands — a day of ritual, dressing up, and careful preparation. In 2025 the fast falls on October 10 (tithi begins late on Oct 9 and ends Oct 10), so the weeks leading up to it are peak shopping time across Delhi. Plan for sarees or lehengas, bridal-style jewellery, glass and metal bangles, sindoor/kumkum and a ready puja thali or karwa (pot).
Walking into Chandni Chowk is like stepping back into a story centuries old. The narrow lanes smell of marigold, incense, and street food — parathas frying, jalebis dripping syrup, but alongside that, the rustle of silks being unfurled, the clink of bangles, the glitter of imitation jewels in shop windows. In Kinari Bazaar one finds all manner of embroidery and decorative trim; in Chawri Bazaar the glass bangles, thin as whispers, stacked high; in Dariba Kalan, silver-plated jewellery that mirrors the moon you’ll glimpse at night. The labyrinth grows louder as dusk approaches, lights flicker on, and every artisan shop wants to show you something special for your Karwa Chauth ensemble.
How to get there: Chandni Chowk lies in Old Delhi near the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, accessible via the Chandni Chowk metro station.
Lajpat Nagar pulses with a different rhythm: a bit more space, a bit more ease, yet still bright with possibility. In Market III’s lanes, shop fronts spill over with lehengas with zari work, elegant kurtas and ready-to-wear salwar suits in festive colours. The central market’s alleys close in on Heena Bazaar where mehendi patterns dance across hands, where dupattas in every shade of amber, emerald and magenta cascade from shelves. It isn’t just the clothes — shoes with traditional juttis, handbags with mirror work or beadwork, jewellery pieces both light and heavy — everything feels like it wants to help complete your festive look.
How to get there: Lajpat Nagar lies in South Delhi; the Lajpat Nagar metro station (Violet & Pink Lines) delivers you almost at the doorstep.
Karol Bagh beats with the heart of both the old and the rising new. Ajmal Khan Road dresses up in evening light, boutiques interspersed with stalls offering bridal-cut lehengas, shiny heels, sequined blouses. At Bank Street you hear the soft clink of silver jewellery; down Gaffar Market, the accessories — belts, bangles, bags — call out. There’s a sense that if you want something dramatic, something theatrical even, this is one of the places.
How to get there: Not far from the Blue Line metro, one can move from polished showrooms to humble stalls without ever leaving the festive buzz.
There’s bargain-magic in Sarojini Nagar: early morning sun catching the colours of dress yards, racks of kurtis, piles of dupattas, flats and clutches strewn across the path-ways, and often the thrill of a newly arrived export-surplus piece that looks runway-fresh at half-the price. It feels less formal, more spontaneous. One moment you are inspecting a mirror embroidered blouse, the next dragging a pair of jhumkas off a shelf, bartering with the shopkeeper. The paths are crowded; you navigate the central I-shaped rows and diverge into hidden back-streets for shoes or belts. It’s here where style meets affordability in its boldest form.
How to get there: Sarojini lies in South West Delhi, the Sarojini Nagar metro station (Pink Line) being the easiest way in.
If your mood for Karwa Chauth leans toward the curated, aesthetic touches rather than full bridal opulence, Janpath and Khan Market offer those delicate joys. Janpath with its stretch of small stalls selling oxidised jewellery, handcrafted trinkets, embroidered stoles and boho accessories feels like a treasure hunt. Khan Market, more polished, showcases boutique kurtis, quality jewellery pieces, maybe a designer clutch or hand-painted roli-chawal box. These are places to overlay polish over what you find elsewhere — maybe the blouse, the accessories, the finishing touch that catches the moonlight.
How to get there: Janpath lies near Connaught Place; Khan Market nestles near Lodhi-Road / India Gate, accessible by metro.
When the festival edges near, weekdays early morning are often your friend — fewer crowds, fresher choices. Always try on or test how the blouse, lehenga or saree falls: fabrics drape differently under moonlight and flash. Bargaining is part of the ritual for many shops; it’s less so in boutiques, but even there you might catch a small discount or free embroideries. And don’t forget: along with the outfit, your puja essentials — thali, karwa, sieve (channi), sindoor-box — they often hide in small corners of these bazaars, sometimes behind the wall of clothing stores.
Q1. Which are the best markets in Delhi for Karwa Chauth shopping?
The top markets include Chandni Chowk, Lajpat Nagar, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar, and Janpath–Khan Market. Each offers festive wear, bangles, jewellery, and puja items perfect for Karwa Chauth celebrations.
Q2. What should I buy for Karwa Chauth?
Popular purchases include sarees, lehengas, bangles, bindis, jewellery, sindoor boxes, decorated puja thalis, and karwas (clay pots) used in the rituals.
Q3. When is Karwa Chauth in 2025?
In 2025, Karwa Chauth falls on October 10, with the fasting tithi beginning late on October 9 and ending after moonrise on October 10.
Q4. Which Delhi market is best for affordable festive wear?
Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar are ideal for budget-friendly shopping, offering stylish outfits, bangles, and accessories at reasonable prices.
Q5. Where can I find puja essentials for Karwa Chauth in Delhi?
You can find thalis, channis (sieves), kumkum boxes, and decorated karwas in Chandni Chowk’s Kinari Bazaar or Lajpat Nagar’s Heena Bazaar, both known for traditional festive supplies.
