The 'Paranthe Wali Gali' of Chandni Chowk is centuries old. But do you know that it was designed by Princess Jahanara Begum, daughter of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan? Chandni Chowk was built in 1650 along with the Red Fort and several silver jewellery and clothing shops. Moving forward to 1872, Pandit Gaya Prasad Paranthe Wale started the Paratha Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk, and by the year 1960, there were 20 paratha shops here. Let us tell you that all these shops belong to the same family. In 1875 Pandit Kanhaiyalal Durga Prasad Dixit, followed by Pandit Dayanand Shivcharan in 1882 and Pandit Baburam Devidayal Paranthewala in 1886 opened shops one by one here. So for six generations, now his family has been running the parathewali shop here. Let us also tell you that this gali's name was changed to Chhota Dariba in 1911. But despite that, even today, this street is known as Paranthe Wali Gali.
What sort of parathas are served here?
Until now, the parathas of Paranthe Wali Gali are prepared in the same old way. It is also essential to tell you that only pure vegetarian parathas are available here; not even onion and garlic are added. Do you know why? Because the people of the Pandit fraternity opened these shops and their families have followed this tradition for ages. Therefore the food is prepared here in the Brahmin style. But don't worry as here you will find many different vegetarian parathas. Moreover, dry fruits like almonds and cashews are also added to make the parathas exotic.
What else is served with parathas?
You can find many parathas here, including mixed veg parathas, rabri-khoya parathas, gobhi parathas, layer (lacchha) parathas, etc. Here, parathas are served with raita, pickles, tamarind chutney, coriander-mint chutney, potato-paneer vegetable, potato fenugreek vegetable, and cilantro curry.
One thing for all the gym and diet freaks: If visiting the 'Paranthe Wali Gali', you might have one cheat meal here as you cannot expect less oil and ghee at all. Here, the parathas are deep-fried in ghee and even after eating so much fried roast, your dil will always 'maange more'. The stomach may be full, but the hunger for the taste of these parathas will not satiate your soul.
These famous personalities visited 'paranthe wali gali'
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit and Indira Gandhi once came here to eat parathas after India got independence. You can still find their picture in the shop. Everyone has eaten tasty parathas here, from the country's first prime minister to Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor. These shops have been famous here for centuries, but despite being so popular, you will find no difference in their taste since its establishment.
Conclusion
If you are a Delhi resident and planning to visit Chandni Chowk for excellent food, you must hit this gali to have some delicious parathas. Of course, you will not find this taste in any other restaurant or hotel. From the taste of the food to the people's behaviour, here everything will pull you towards the glimpses of 'Purani Dilli'.