Dilli Haat is an open air shopper’s paradise, covering an area of 6 acres; it is a destination for art, craft and food lovers. Situated in the capital city of India, Dilli Haat is visited by thousands of national and international tourists every day. Dilli Haat has food stalls representing various states of India, so that one can have breakfast of Kashmir, lunch of Andhra Pradesh and dinner from Manipur on the same day. The craft stalls exhibits ethnic and exotic products and materials exclusive to India. The shops are well organized so that the customers do not have trouble finding the products they are looking for.
People, who have lived or visited the villages in India, will know that Dilli Haat is the modernized and permanent version of the weekly market which is held in rural India. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) established Dilli Haat in 1994 and have been able to maintain it quite well. By rotating the arts and crafts shops, we get to see the diversity of India and various arts and crafts from time to time. The ambiance of the place gives a feeling of visiting rural India and understanding its village life. There are two such facilities run by the DTTDC; one is opposite to the Indian National Army Market, known as INA market, and another one in Pitampura.
Dilli Haat Craft Market
Dilli haat has exhibits of special handicrafts from all over India, which is rotated every 15 days. The craftsmen who wish to have a stall undergo procedures of booking a stall by registering with Development Commissioner for Handicrafts (or D.C. Handicraft) which then needs to be sanctioned. This ensures that the best handicrafts are at display. The D.C. Handicraft sees to it that unique crafts from various parts of India will be exhibited at Dilli Haat. In addition, the craftsmen do not have to pay hefty rents for the stall, as they are charged just Rs.100 for the 15 days, but they have to maintain high standard for their products. The craftsman usually sells the products at a reasonable price to the customers. Everyone benefits from this.
The various products available at the stalls are:
• Antiques
• Regional handicraft products
• Hand woven carpets and rugs
• Products made from leather
• Silk sarees, cloth, and dress materials
• Traditional jewelry
• Clothes
• Woolen fabrics
• Brassware
• Traditional and suave fabrics
• European fashion products
• The colorful embroidered camels hide footwear
• Crafts carved from sandalwood and rosewood
Food Plaza
As the tourists and customers enjoy shopping at the arts and crafts stalls buying unique and ethnic products, they can savor various special dishes and recipes from different parts of India. The food in Dilli Haat is prepared under strict hygienic conditions and served to the customers at a reasonable price. Various recipes and dishes from every state of India can be tasted at Dilli Haat. On special occasions, a regional food festival is organized to further tingle the taste bud of food lovers.
Other Attractions of Dilli Haat
Since its establishment in 1994 to promote arts and crafts of traditional India, Dilli Haat has come a long way. It is now a most sought after venue for hosting cultural festivals, music programs, dance programs, competitions and many more. In 2011 the first ever comic convention called Comic Con India was held in its premises. The theme based festivities attracts many customers. Recently another theme named the Green Haat, organized the ‘Connecting Nature with Our Lives’ which had mostly forest-based products exhibited by the tribes of India.
Dilli haat has been crafted keeping the village in mind. It has a great creative landscape following the traditional style of India. The open air plaza is skillfully built with stone and brickwork, with flowering plants for aesthetic purpose and tall eucalyptus trees not just for providing shade, but increasing the ethnic beauty of the place. Most of the ground is covered by well mowed green grass, to avoid dust. For people who visit the place with their children, there is a play corner for them to enjoy.
How to Get to Dilli Haat?
Dilli Haat is situated on Sri Aurobindo Marg, Opposite of INA Market in New Delhi. Those who need specific information can call their office on +91-11-4629365 or +91-11- 6119055.
It can be easily reached through the underground Delhi Metro station. The place opens at 10.30 am and closes down at 9.00 pm every day, on all seven days of the week. There is an entry fee though which is quite nominally priced at Rs.20 for adults and Rs.10 for children.
Here’s a list of things you should buy in India some of which you can find at Dilli Haat.