Janpath

Janpath (meaning People's Path, formerly known as Queensway), is one of the main roads in New Delhi. It starts out as Radial Road 1 in Connaught Place, adjacent to Palika Bazaar, and runs North-South perpendicular to, and past Rajpath (the "Rulers' path"). Originally called Queen's Way, it was an important part of Lutyens' design of the Lutyens' Delhi, upon the inauguration of new capital of India in 1931. Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both Indian and foreign) in New Delhi. The market essentially is a long line of boutique stores selling products which are hard to find in the malls and multi-chain stores of the city. The long line of boutiques is for budget travellers and shoppers, buyers of handicrafts and garments, curio and numerous Indian-style fast-food places.[1]

View south while crossing Janpath on foot with care, 2006.
Commercial offices along Janpath, 2006.

Overview

In the north this road stretches from the Connaught Place. In the south it ends up at the intersection of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road and junction of South end road and Tees January Marg, where Hotel Claridges lies.

Commercial offices can be found along Janpath, as its central location accounts for high real estate values. Also on the stretch are the Western Court and Eastern Court buildings, the former serves as a transit hostel for members of parliament, while the latter is a post office and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) office.[2] To the south of Rajpath, the road is largely residential, with the exception of the National Museum, and large Lutyen's bungalow of Ministers.

Janpath market
Popular Shawl boutique in Janpath.

The Janpath market stretches around 1.5-km from the Outer Circle of Connaught Place to Windsor Place.[2] Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both Indian and foreign) in New Delhi. The market essentially is a long line of boutique stores selling products which cannot be found in today's malls and showrooms of the city. It is also one of the oldest markets of New Delhi with establishment of some boutiques dating back to 1950. It is most popular for the exquisite Pashmina Shawl from Kashmir. Most markets in Delhi are known to carry duplicates however one can find the original quality here. Among other exquisite items are the Kashmiri wool shawls and scarves, Indian Kurtis and Churidars brass ornaments and artefacts, carpets and other gift items. The Indian Tourist Office is on the corner of Janpath and Connaught Lane, and good maps can be purchased there. Between Fire Lane and the Imperial Hotel, the Tibetan Market can be found which has a wide range of Himalayan arts and crafts. Musical instruments, wall hangings and bead shops are in abundance. Behind the Tibetan Market, on Tolstoy Marg, is the Jantar Mantar, an astrological instrument of immense proportions which is well worth a visit.

Night view of Janpath

The Janpath Market also has an abundance of walking vendors who sell trinkets, such as necklaces, chunky jewellery, jootis, handicraft items. drums, horns and postcards, particularly to foreigners, most of whom now know about the bargaining required.[3] Most speak good English and are good at bartering. South of Rajpath is the National Museum, which will take half a day to wander through.

Junctions & intersections
Janpath commercial area, 2006
  • Intersection with Rajpath
  • Intersection of Akbar road and Motilal Nehru Marg, Dr. Rajendra Prashad road and Maulana Azad road.
  • One junction is at Windsor place, where intersection of Ashok road is made by junction of Ferozshah road and Raisina road.

Janpath Metro Station

Construction had been underway for the Janpath Metro Station as part of Phase III of the Delhi Metro Project by The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The Janpath Metro Station is a part of the 9.37 km long Central Secretariat – Kashmere Gate corridor also called the "Heritage Line". The Janpath metro station opened on 26 June 2014. The corridor will be connecting Old Delhi like Daryaganj, Delhi Gate and Red Fort with the business hub of Delhi at Janpath. This corridor will also connect major monuments of Old Delhi like Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and Red Fort. The completion target for this corridor is 2015.

Important buildings
A Handicraft shop, on Janpath, New Delhi

In popular culture it became the title, of noted play, titled Janpath Kiss (1976).[4]

References
  1. Janpath Market
  2. "Janpath: Oxford Street in the making". Business Line. 10 April 2004.
  3. "Foreigners throng Janpath market". The Hindu. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013.
  4. The Janpath kiss, by Akhileshwar Jha. Sterling Publishers, 1976.
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