Manek Chowk (Ahmedabad) Explained

Manek Chowk

Manek Chowk
Addresses:within walled city, near Bhadra Fort
Location:Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Coordinates:23.0236°N 72.5886°W

Manek Chowk is a prominent city square located in Old Ahmedabad, India. Surrounded by historical structures, it serves as a vegetable market in the morning, a bullion market in the noon, and transforms into a vibrant street food market at night.[1]

Etymology

See main article: Maneknath. The square derives its name from Baba Maneknath, who played a crucial role in aiding Ahmed Shah I in the construction of Bhadra Fort in 1411.[2] [3] [4]

Manek Chowk

This bustling square functions as a vegetable market in the morning, transforms into a jewelry market in the afternoon (the second-largest in India), boasting an annual turnover of around 3 million rupees. However, it is most renowned for its food stalls that emerge around 9:30 in the evening, offering a variety of local street snacks. Manek Chowk is particularly celebrated for its Kulfi.[5] [6]

Food Street

Manek Chowk is one of the few food streets allowed to stay open until late at night. Offering Bhajipau, dosa, typical local sandwiches, and various local cuisines, it is a hub for culinary enthusiasts even during the late hours.

Structures

Baba Maneknath Temple

The memorial temple, where the saint Maneknath took samadhi, is situated in Manek Chowk.

Badshah no Hajiro

See main article: Ahmed Shah's Tomb. This is the burial place for male members of the royal family, including Ahmed Shah I, the founder of Ahmedabad. Women are restricted from entering, and men must cover their heads before entering. Several minister’s tombs are laid out across the road. It lies to the west of Manek Chowk.

Rani no Hajiro

See main article: Rani no Hajiro. On the street leading to the Rani no Hajiro (Queen’s tomb), where the female members of the royal family were buried, is now a market for women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Traditional Garba clothes are also sold here. Many types of mouth fresheners, Mukhwas, stalls are nearby. Rani no Hajiro lies to the east of Manek Chowk.

Ahmedabad Stock Exchange Building

Established in 1894, the Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in India after the Bombay Stock Exchange. It operated in this location until 1996, housed in a 93-year-old heritage building showcasing British architecture.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Mahurat Pol

It was the first pol (housing cluster) of Ahmedabad. Jains settled here around the 1450s. There are two temples inside the pol, Sheetalnath Jain temple and Dholeshwar Mahadev temple.[10]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Book: India Guide Gujarat . India Guide Publications . 2007 . 93–94 . 9780978951702 . Desai, Anjali H..
  2. News: Baba Maneknath's kin keep alive 600-yr old tradition . . 18 October 2010 . 21 February 2013 . More, Anuj.
  3. News: Flags changed at city's foundation by Manek Nath baba's descendants . https://archive.today/20130411040432/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-07/ahmedabad/30257006_1_flag-foundation-stone-puja . dead . 11 April 2013 . . 7 October 2011 . TNN . 21 February 2013.
  4. News: Multi-layered expansion . . 26 February 2010 . AM . 21 February 2013 . Ruturaj . Jadav . Mehul . Jani . https://web.archive.org/web/20091207235844/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article . 7 December 2009 . dead .
  5. Web site: Manek Chowk . Tourism Corporation of Gujarat . Government of Gujarat . 7 December 2015 . 21 February 2013.
  6. News: Manek Chowk fights off its 'MAHA' Clone . . 14 April 2011 . AM . 21 February 2013 . Jani, Mehul . https://archive.today/20130407160706/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=201104142011041403024319033332e2 . 7 April 2013 . dead .
  7. News: Old stock exchange building at Manek Chowk to be sold . https://archive.today/20130411035022/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-06/ahmedabad/32078139_1_ase-ahmedabad-stock-exchange-heritage-building . dead . 11 April 2013 . . 6 June 2012 . TNN . 21 February 2013 . Ahmedabad.
  8. News: Veterans rue loss of Ahmedabad's Manekchowk building . . 7 July 2012 . DNA . 21 February 2013 . Dhomse, Himansh.
  9. News: Heritage lovers root for Ahmedabad Stock Exchange's Manekchowk building . . 20 February 2011 . DNA . 21 February 2013 . Soni, Nikunj.
  10. News: Amdavad's First Pol . . 5 February 2010 . AM . 21 February 2013 . Ruturaj Jadav and Mehul Jani . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091207235844/http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article . 7 December 2009 .