Dilli Haat: The 'Haat' with a heart 

Dilli Haat, the food and craft bazaar is a joint venture of Delhi Tourism and New Delhi Municipal Corporation. Showcasing India's unity in diversity, this market operates all the year round. The tickets costing a mere Rs 10 can take you into the fascinating world of Indian art and culture from all the states in India.

Situated in the six acres, Dilli Haat is the first of its kind providing encouragement to the upcoming artists. Not just the food, but handicrafts and rural products from all over India are available in this 'traditional mela'.

Dilli Haat is a forum, which seeks to preserve Indian art and heritage. There is a right mix of craft, cuisine and Cultural activities, giving you a feel of the rural life in India.

The complex has been designed in a traditional North Indian style. There are in all eighty- seven stalls, including twenty-five food stalls. A plaza paved with stone and brickwork skilfully interspersed with grass, flowering shrubs and towering eucalyptus trees have conjured up an oasis in which visitors can browse at their leisure. The stalls to the craftsman are allotted on rotational basis for a period of a fortnight. The Haat is permanent but the craftsmen are mobile and ever changing.

The food plaza offers a wide choice of ethnic food from all over the country. A variety of crafted handicrafts, from each region are available in this exotic bazaar. From candles, terracotta, crockery, artefacts, jewellery, garments, dry flowers, show pieces, beads, metal ware and bags it's a colourful sight to watch shoppers buying their favourite wares. The prices are kept to their lowest, so that cottage and small industries are promoted. The ethnic market provides an ambience for all alike from piece and quiet for the students who love to hang out here, for the elderly just passing their day or taking a walk. The bill does not leave a hole in your pocket.

There is an adequate open space just in front of the Haat providing ample space to sit. If you want to savour momo's from Nagaland, Dosa from South, sandesh from Bengal, this is the place to hit. The international pavilion serves the best of international delicacies.

This place is always throbbing with one festival or another. It might be a state specific festival or a handicraft festival, a puppet show or a street play, the Haat has its own charm. There is also a hall in the complex, where exhibitions are held. A meeting room, PCO facility, Cyber café and a souvenir shop by Delhi tourism are some of the facilities available here.

The Haat also holds summer workshops in pottery, paper machie, painting, craft etc at very reasonable fees. This place is full of life and enthusiasm all the year round and has emerged a favourite destination among shoppers and tourists.

Dilli Haat does not only showcase the Indian culture but also provide a platform for cottage and small-scale industries. The place is open from 11 am to 10 p.m.

Address: Dilli Haat, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Opposite INA Market, New Delhi - 110 023.
Phone: 462 9365, 611 9055

Jyoti Narang