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The oldest Indian sweet shop in Delhi is the Ghantewala in Chandini Chowk, which went
into business in 1790. Down the centuries, it has remained in the same family and is now in the hands of the
Seventh generation. There's an interesting story behind how it got its name, Ghanta actually means a big clanging
bell in Hindi Legend goes that whenever the royal procession moved down this road, the emperor was in the habit
of stopping here for a snack - a habit that his elephant acquired too. Well, we all know how passionately fond
of sweets elephants are, so of course came the day when he found the way to the shop himself. Apparently he
refused to budge and kept on shaking its head until people rallied around with assorted sweets. The bells hanging
from the elephant's neck would tinkle whenever the animal went into stubborn mode and shook his head and from there
came the shop's name - beat that! The Ghantewala Halwai is celebrated for its sohanhalwa, a sweet made from dry
fruits, sprouts and sugar.
Our sweets have adornes the dastarkhan of Mughal kings and Banquet tables of contemporary Presidents, Prime Ministers
and Ambassadors. Indian military contigents posted outside the country have delighted in the sweet specially flown to
them. And it has become a custom for visitors to take back a packet of our sweets home for family and mends. Now you can buy sweets and namkeens online.
Ghantewala has always been a part of happy moments of the royal patrons. Not only served our Ex Prime Mininster,
Late Sh. Rajiv Ghandhi with hot Jalebi's on his birthday at his residence. But also served his daughter with sweets
and chat on her wedding. |
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