Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad | Shopping, Timings, Street Food

Manek Chawk, Ahmedabad Overview

Manek Chowk, a bustling city square, is located in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. It is surrounded by historic structures and is considered a part of Old Ahmedabad. If you have a bigger appetite for shopping, this is the place to be, because Manek Chowk plays three different roles in a day. It is a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the afternoon and a foodies hub in the evening. It is considered as India's second-biggest and busiest markets. If you manage to spend an entire day here, you'll know how the afternoon takes over the vegetable market and how dusk takes over the bullion market and transforms it into foodies paradise.

Manek Chowk is named after Saint Maneknath who is believed to have interrupted Ahmed Shah I's efforts to build Bhadra Fort in 1411. Today the market is estimated to have a turnover of 3 million per year. Locals consider it an apt place for hanging out with friends and family. Your search for the best of women's attire and accessories will end at Manek Chowk for sure because you will find a variety of designs, patterns and traditional work to choose from.

It is also best known for its Kulfi and other snacks like bhaji-pau, Dosa, Sandwiches etc. So when you are tired after an entire day of shopping, this place is apt to grab a delicious bite and breathe for a while before you go back to your hotel.

Street Food at Manek Chowk

Most of the visitors flock to Manek Chowk for the variety of delicious street food they serve. If savoury foods are what you like, opt for the yummy local Pav-Bhaji, Mirchi Wada, Fresh Green Variyari or chatpati chat especially the mouth-watering Pani-Puri. South Indian snacks like Dosas, Idlis, Uttapams with an ample serving of warm Sambar and some cooling Coconut Chutney are also available. Other savoury snacks include temptingly flavourful Tava Pulav and Fusion Foods like Amdavadi Special Sandwiches and Chinese Bhel. Other tasty snacks served include regular Cheese and Vegetable Grill Sandwiches, Pizzas and Burgers.

After the delicious savoury ride at Manek Chowk, do satisfy your sweet tooth with one or more of the delicious flavours of Kulfi, Falooda and Ice-Creams or bite into the ever so scrumptious Chocolate Sandwiches with generously filled molten chocolate. If your taste buds want some more of the "sinful" Cocoa fun, you must try a chocolate pizza with generous amounts of grated chocolate and chocolate sauce. There's something to suit everyone's taste buds here and then end your evening with a delicious local mouth freshener in a flavour you love the most.

Things To Do at Manek Chawk

The Morning Vegetable Market is apt for the people who are in search for fresh fruits and vegetables. Tourists who want to cook their own food can purchase fresh produce at really affordable rates.

The Afternoon Bullion Market is a perfect place for people wanting to invest in Gold or Silver Bullion. There are a lot of Jewellery Stores as well in the area, where one can purchase traditional jewellery and other accessories.

Rani No Hajiro is a perfect location for purchasing women's apparel and accessories. Here, one can find a variety of designs, colours, patterns and handwork to choose from whether it's the traditional Chaniya Choli, Sarees, Ghagras or Kurtas and Kurtis.

The Night Market is the place for Foodies. After a tiring day of shopping, stop by and choose from a variety of street foods available here.

Historical Structures at Manek Chowk

Badshah no Hajiro: Historically known as Ahmed Shah's tomb, it is a medieval mosque situated close to Jama Mosque and Manek Chowk. This is the place where all the male members of the royal family were buried. Ahmed Shah I was buried here and women were not allowed to visit the place. Men need to cover their heads before entering the structure.

Baba Maneknath Temple: This is where Baba Maneknath took Samadhi. This memorial is now considered a temple and is situated in Manek Chowk.

Rani no Hajiro: Female members of the royal family were buried here. Now the place has been converted into a market for women clothing and accessories. There are famous Mukhwas stalls nearby.

Ahmedabad Stock Exchange Building: It is the oldest Stock Exchange in India other than the Bombay Stock Exchange. The 93 years old building is an epitome of great British Architecture.
Mahurat Pol - It is the first housing cluster (Pol) of Ahmedabad where Jains settled around 1450s. The Pol has two temples inside it Sheetalnath Jain temple and Dholeshwar Mahadev Temple.

History of Manek Chowk

Manek Chowk was named after Baba Maneknath who is believed to have interrupted Sultan Ahmed Shah's efforts to build a new capital here in the 15th century. It is said that Baba Maneknath had magical powers. He used to weave a mat while Sultan Ahmed Shah's men would build the walls of a fort and in the night, he would unstitch the same mat, and that would magically destroy the walls built that day.

This occurred over and over again; the workers would build walls during the day, and the next day, the walls would be destroyed. The Sultan somehow got to know about the magical powers that Baba Maneknath possessed. He asked for him to meet and ordered him to prove his magical powers by entering a tiny little jar. The Baba, in an attempt to prove his powers, entered inside the tiny jar that was sealed by the Sultan and buried deep into the ground.

Best Time To Visit Manek Chawk

The best time to visit Manek Chowk is between October and February as the weather is pleasant during the winters.

Tips For Visiting Manek Chawk

1. The place gets really crowded. If you visit in the early hours of the market opening, you should be able to dodge the crowd.
2. Take care of your own belongings.
3. East responsibly if you cannot tolerate street food.
4. Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated.
5. Wear a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun as it tends to get hot in the afternoon.