Away With The Steiners

A guide to Indian Kurta shopping at Sarojini Nagar Market in Delhi. 

Sarah Steiner

Wondering about shopping in Delhi and what to wear for your trip in India?  We recommend Sarojini Market.  

The shopping scene is a unanimously vibrant and diverse experience in India’s megacity capital of Delhi.  And if, like me, you also have in mind to somehow arrive and go shopping to get outfits for your India trip, the chaos can sound dubiously daunting.  

But amidst the oh-so-Indian chaos and colours we have found the best place to shop for Kurta and India-ready outfits that offers a unique glimpse of local culture and a memorable Delhi experience too.  

Here is everything you need to know about Sarojini Nagar Market and the best shops to find outfits for your India adventure. 

What kind of market is Sarojini Market? 

Sarojini Nagar Market is a local shopping market in Delhi.  It is a mixture of outdoor stalls, kiosks and tables set up with clothing and wares as well as indoor, permanent shops in the market area. 

The quiet morning shopping street in Sarojini Market.
The quiet morning shopping street in Sarojini Market.

Where in Delhi is Sarojini Market located? 

Sarojini Market is located in South Delhi. 

Travel times by road to Sarojini Market:

See below for details and getting to Sarojini Market. 

Shopping anywhere in Delhi can be a great experience.

Which days and when is the market open? 

Official opening hours for Sarojini Market are: 

However, for first-time visitors, the bustling crowds—especially in the afternoons and on weekends—can feel overwhelming.

Locals will suggest that if you prefer a less crowded visit, consider going on a weekday, between 12:00pm and 4:00pm.  But I’m going to give you even better advice and tell you to get there embarrassingly early to avoid ALL crowds.  

Busy is an understatement for market shopping in Delhi.  And it gets seriously busy.  

When is the best time to go shopping at Sarojini Market in Delhi?

The market technically opens at 10:00am and for all its worth I recommend aiming to be there at 10:00 or 10:30am.  The shops have a sleepy start but it’s much more relaxing to weave past the hawkers’ selling belts and unnecessary tablecloths before the crowds arrive. 

We have been shopping here lots.  And after once trying our luck on a Sunday to ‘grab a few quick things’ at 2:30pm before heading back to the hotel, we have never shopped the afternoon again.  It was absolute madness.  I’m talking shoulder to shoulder crowds where you can’t see the ground.  And just hot, sweaty bodies everywhere.  

We managed it.  Because of course, we couldn’t have gone through all that chaos for nothing.  We added a few reluctant outfits to wear in India to our backpacks.  But if it wasn’t for the indoor shops to escape that kind of crowd there is no way it would have been anywhere near successful (or worth it). 

I’m going to tell you which shops to head for.  And I strongly suggest you set out for shopping at Sarojini Market while it’s still waking up. 

The sleepy morning streets of the market are much less overwhelming.
You’ll be thankful not to experience these streets with shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at peak rush hour shopping.

What sort of clothes should I wear for travel in India? 

Wondering what sort of clothes to wear in India and feel comfortable as a tourist?  This question is a biggie.  The answers for holiday makers, backpackers, and travellers will undoubtedly vary.  But my main advice is to dress modestly.  And for us, this is a Kaupapa that goes for travel in general. 

There is no official dress code in India.  You can wear what you like out and about with religious sites being the only places requiring specific dress. But modest clothing is appreciated.  It’s physically comfortable for travel.  And it likely means you maaaay even get a few less stares, which (sorry, India) does happen. A. LOT.

Modest dress means pants, a skirt or dress that covers your knees.  On the top half it is modest to wear something baggy or flowy that ideally covers your shoulders and doesn’t show off your chest. 

But the best advice for travel and comfort is to dress like the locals do.  They dress that way for a reason, right?  There is comfort and practicality in the climate and environment.  And in India, the colours make all types of traditional and modern dress look effortlessly AMAZING.   

The main types of women’s dress in India are Sari and Kurta.  We’ve all heard of Sari’s, and they sure are glamorous.  But Sari’s are more an evening or formal type of wear.  Kurtas on the other hand are practical, comfortable and just seriously good looking. 

Choices and more choices?
A Sari is less practical for travel in India but you can try on a ready-made Sari at Cha Cha Saree Bazar.

Which shops in Sarojini Market do you recommend to find clothes to wear in India? 

A kurta is a kind of tunic, or long, collarless top. In South Asian countries, kurtas are worn with loose trousers called shalwars or tighter pants known as churidars.  And a complete kurta outfit includes three pieces: 

It is as simple as that.  

Often, a kurta dress – or ‘suit’ as it is sometimes called in India – comes as a pre-packaged set of three items.  

But our suggestion is to head for Sarojini Market and buy the dress items separately.  Not only does this make it more fitting, but more so it means you can choose the colours and mix and match your outfits to wear in India for your trip.

My favourite new purchase blue and white Kurta and matching white trousers from Cha Cha Saree Bazar.

Which shops in Sarojini Market do you recommend to find clothes to wear in India? 

In all our trips to India and Delhi over the years, we’ve found that Sarojini Market is handsdown the easiest, cheapest, and most interesting place to get all three parts of a Kurta outfit. 

There are obviously loads of shops at the market (duh).  And there are limitless markets and bazars in Delhi.  But all I wanted the first time I arrived in this megacity and wanted something to wear in India, was for someone to point me in exactly the right (specific) direction.

On the main shopfront near Entrance #1 is a line of permanent shops behind the market stalls, including: 

*South Asian sizes are unflatteringly small by Western standards.  I usually wear a ‘Size 44’ or XL/XXL for comparison! 

The same friendly staff that look after us every time at Cha Cha Saree Bazar, Sarojini Market.
Dresses and other Indian outfits at Sabhyata.

How much should it cost for a Kurta outfit at the market to wear for my India trip?

At Sarojini Market there are rows of outside tables with simple Kurta’s and sets of traditional (and less traditional) clothing for 250 – 350 INR ($2.50 – $3.00 USD).

But, unless you are on an extreme budget, and in which case the bargain tables are great. What we recommend is shopping inside at the permanent stores to avoid the hassle and constant hawkers outside.

To give you an idea, prices in the permanent shops at Sarojini Market, range from:

Obviously the prices can be varied but that is to give you an idea. Prices on the stalls outside and in the permanent shops are mostly marked and not (very) negotiable.

Cheap individual Kurta outside the permanent shops on market tables and stalls.
No shortage of choice for reasonably priced Kurta and Kurti (short Kurta).

What about shopping for Indian clothes for kids?

We found there is a whole section at Sarojini Market specifically for children’s clothing. However, once again it is like starting from scratch and trying to ask at every children’s clothing stall is a nightmare.

On our India Group Trips we head straight for J.K. Garments which is specialises in kids clothing.

Shopping with the kids for Kurta at J.K. Garments, Sarojini Market.
Oscar’s final choice of blue vs. green boys Kurta.

Shopping at Sarojini Market in Delhi. What is it like at the market? 

Visiting any of Delhi’s markets and bazars is an awesome experience as a visitor.  Some of the most popular markets in Delhi are more targeted for tourism these days, like Dili Haat Market and Main Bazar in Paharganj.  But Sarojini Market is a truly local market. It’s not set up for tourists and so it is a great way to see local life and culture in Delhi. 

However, as you can imagine, it’s a busy place to shop.  And it can be overwhelming for a first visit.  

A walk through the market stalls and small tables and tents set up on the side of the pedestrian streets is chaotic.  But with the larger permanent shops it gives a bit of reprieve from the chaos and in that case, you can experience the best of both. 

Oh yes it’s male dominated shopkeepers at Sarojini Market, but they are friendly and willing to help.
A very small shop where storage is up in the loft (literally).

How long do you need? 

I’ll be honest in admitting I’m not normally a fan of shopping.  But there is something about going shopping for clothes to wear in India – and especially a beautifully bright Kurta – that makes shopping different!  


The market is a busy place to be for too long.  So, I’d so allow 1-2 hours for your outing to Sarojini Market.  And if you are only just going to buy a Kurta, trousers and Dupatta at the three shops above you will only need an hour as they are all in the same row and very close to each other.

Friendly vendors near Chacha Saree Bazar at Sarojini Market.

Refreshments (and a little time out as required)

As above, there is a great chance you will be offered chai while shopping at one of the larger shops at Sarojini Market.  Chai is a gesture of hospitality in India, and it is something small and complimentary that a shop can offer.  

If it’s your first day in India if might sound daunting to accept a chai on the spot. But in actual fact it’s a tiny little cup (thimble-size) of hot, sweet chai.  And it’s worth it to both accept the gesture and to experience a local style of chai. 

Further into Sarojini Market is the large franchise shop of Haldiram’s.  This is a good go-to anywhere in the cities of India, by the way.  It stocks packaged Indian namkeen (snacks) and does food court-style meals.  

We don’t eat there often, but Haldiram’s is one place we often get a Lassi yoghurt drink from.  There is a pre-made Lassi at Haldiram’s that is only 100 INR ($1.10 USD) and is a stress-free cold drink and space to get out of the shopping crowd for a break.  It is a safe option to try a Lassi if you aren’t yet feeling up to braving the street food in Delhi. 

The Sarojini Market branch of Haldirams is our pick for a shopping break and Lassi from the fridge.

Getting around in Delhi and how to get to Sarojini Market 

The best way to get around in Delhi and to go from your hotel to Sarojini Market to buy kurta, is by auto rickshaw.  We have a fantastic driver/drivers to recommend in Delhi.  

Sunny and his brother Vinny are two of four brothers, who with their father all work in tourism and transport in Delhi driving rickshaws and taxis all over this megacity.  

If you’ve been on our trips you will have met Sunny and Vinny their brother Sandeep in Main Bazar, New Delhi. Actually Sunny is one of four brothers and their father who all work in tourism and transport in Delhi driving auto-rickshaws and taxis all over this megacity. But Paharganj and the stretch of Main Bazar is their stomping ground and where they grew up.

Sunny is a great driver.  And where trying to find a trustworthy and safe driver in the chaos of Delhi’s some 100,000 rickshaws is like searching for a needle in a haystack.  We can recommend Sunny and Vinny to take all the stress out of navigating transport around New Delhi.

Ask Sunny about a shopping trip to Sarojini Market.  Either he or Vinny can drive you to the main entrance (and point out Chacha Saree Bazar) and wait for you while you shop.  

Send Sunny a message on WhatsApp for any tours or transport in Delhi. 

On our way by auto rickshaw to Sarojini Market with Sunny.

Accommodation / Where to stay in Delhi 

There are some great places to stay in Delhi.  But I’ll be the first to admit that starting out searching for accommodation in India is another of those needle-in-a-haystack type challenges.   

These are the hotels and accommodation we use regularly on our trips to Delhi and that we can recommend for your trip. 

Delirium kicking in with the jet lag at our favourite airport hotel – Taurus Sarovar Portico – in Delhi.
Our basic but clean and comfortable budget room at Smyle Inn, Paharganj.

More about travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

Read more from travel in South Asia

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