The Shadipur Shani Bazaar, known for the cheap and affordable stitched and pre-stitched fabric it offers, is one of the main attractions of the Shadipur neighbourhood. Spread entirely by word of mouth, the low prices at the market attracts customers from other parts of West Delhi, India. Hi-end boutique owners from Karol Bagh come here as well to buy fabric and bling to accessorise their products.

According to Bobby, a resident who sells children’s clothes in the market,

“…The market started around 20 years ago. When his family relocated to the XYZ Block in the neighbourhood, after the Turkaman Gate demolitions during the Emergency (1975-77), a 3-5 vendors used to sell in the park in Z block. This number gradually increased over the years. However, the vendors were asked to vacate the park due to some issues raised by residents. A few years later, in the 1990s, a few people got together to set up the market again. Since then, the market has grown many folds…”

Today besides fabric and clothing, Shadipur Shani Bazaar now has vendors of food, spices and condiments, plastic products, cosmetic products etc. The number of vendors has increased from the first five vendors to over three hundred currently. The Shani-Bazaar is also supplemented by a Monday weekly market (Som Bazaar), primarily a vegetable and fruits market, with cycles, stoves, and food stalls.