Ghantewala Halwai
No trip to Chandni Chowk is complete without a visit to the ghantewala hAHalwai. Check out the above Video!!!!!!!
More than two hundred years old, the Ghantewala is a landmark in itself. The shop has always prided itself for the quality of the sweets available, the one most in demand being Sohanhalwa, made from dry fruits, sprouts and sugar. ‘Ghanta’ in Hindi means a huge bell. Legend goes that when the royal procession used to move down the road, the emperor would stop and be offered the delicacies from the sweet shop. The emperor’s elephant would also be offered sweets. In a short time the animal came to know the shop so well that, procession or no procession, it would refuse to pass through the road and shake its head until the compulsory offering of sweets was made! The bells hanging from the elephant’s neck would tinkle melodiously in the process, and from there the shop acquired its name. An interesting fact- at present the shop is owned by the 11th generation! I ordered some of Ghantewala’s famous Sohan Halwa to take home as I was too full to taste any over there. The culinary cruise down Chandni Chowk is not for those who are calorie conscious because almost everything is fried in ghee. But the food is made hygienically and is worth the discomfort of the chaotic streets and non-existent parking and is a definite change from the run of the mill Chinese or American fast food dining experiences one is exposed to in the rest of Delhi. The food tastes heavenly and takes one back into bygone eras…………………….
More than two hundred years old, the Ghantewala is a landmark in itself. The shop has always prided itself for the quality of the sweets available, the one most in demand being Sohanhalwa, made from dry fruits, sprouts and sugar. ‘Ghanta’ in Hindi means a huge bell. Legend goes that when the royal procession used to move down the road, the emperor would stop and be offered the delicacies from the sweet shop. The emperor’s elephant would also be offered sweets. In a short time the animal came to know the shop so well that, procession or no procession, it would refuse to pass through the road and shake its head until the compulsory offering of sweets was made! The bells hanging from the elephant’s neck would tinkle melodiously in the process, and from there the shop acquired its name. An interesting fact- at present the shop is owned by the 11th generation! I ordered some of Ghantewala’s famous Sohan Halwa to take home as I was too full to taste any over there. The culinary cruise down Chandni Chowk is not for those who are calorie conscious because almost everything is fried in ghee. But the food is made hygienically and is worth the discomfort of the chaotic streets and non-existent parking and is a definite change from the run of the mill Chinese or American fast food dining experiences one is exposed to in the rest of Delhi. The food tastes heavenly and takes one back into bygone eras…………………….
To be very honest, this blog was really benefical for me. I got to know so much information about Eateries in Chandni chowk at one place. Thanks a lot Sniggii, God bless you :)
ReplyDeleteWell, being a foodie, i am really lucky to get abreast with so much information at one place along with pictures and videos. Thanks Snigdha Di :)
ReplyDeleteIts really Worthwhile to read this blog!
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