If you are looking for a place to experience the best of India’s rural and folk traditions, then Delhi Haat is the perfect destination for you. Delhi Haat is a cultural hub of handicrafts, food, and events that offers a glimpse into the diversity and richness of Indian art, cuisine, and culture.
Whether you want to shop for some exquisite handicrafts, savor some delicious regional delicacies, or enjoy some lively cultural performances, Delhi Haat has something for everyone. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Delhi Haat, including why you should visit it, how to plan your trip, and what to expect there.
What is Delhi Haat and Why You Should Visit It
Delhi Haat is a permanent village fair that was established in 1994 as a joint venture of various government departments to promote rural art and culture. The concept of Delhi Haat is to provide a platform for rural artisans and craftsmen from different states of India to showcase and sell their products directly to the urban customers. Delhi Haat has three locations in Delhi: Pitampura, Janakpuri, and INA. The most popular and oldest one is Dilli Haat INA, which is spread over six acres of land and has 62 stalls that change every 15 days.
One of the main reasons why you should visit Delhi Haat is that it offers a unique opportunity to support rural artisans and craftsmen who are otherwise marginalized by the middlemen and the market forces. By buying their products, you not only get some authentic and high-quality handicrafts but also help them preserve their traditional skills and livelihoods. Another reason why you should visit Delhi Haat is that it offers a chance to experience the diverse cultures and traditions of India in one place.
You can witness the colorful and vibrant festivals, dances, music, and theatre of different states at Delhi Haat’s open-air amphitheatre. You can also taste the mouth-watering cuisines of different regions at Delhi Haat’s food plaza that has 25 stalls serving dishes from all over India.
How to Plan Your Trip to Delhi Haat
If you are planning to visit Delhi Haat, here are some essential information and tips that will help you make the most of your trip:
Location: Delhi Haat has three locations in Delhi: Pitampura, Janakpuri, and INA. The most popular and oldest one is Dilli Haat INA, which is located on Sri Aurobindo Marg opposite INA Market.
Timings: Delhi Haat is open every day from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm.
Entry fee: The entry fee for Delhi Haat is Rs. 30 for adults and Rs. 10 for children.
Nearest metro station: The nearest metro station for Dilli Haat INA is INA on the Yellow Line.
Parking facility: There is a paid parking facility available at Dilli Haat INA that can accommodate around 200 cars.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit Delhi Haat is during the winter months from October to March when the weather is pleasant and there are many festivals and events happening at the venue.
Some tips and suggestions for visiting Delhi Haat are:
1. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes as you will have to walk a lot inside the market.
2. Bargain hard with the vendors as they may quote higher prices initially.
3. Carry cash as most of the stalls do not accept cards or digital payments.
4. Try different cuisines from different stalls as they are all delicious and affordable.
5. Check the events calendar before visiting as there may be some special performances or shows that you don’t want to miss.
What to Expect at Delhi Haat
Once you enter Delhi Haat, you will be amazed by the variety and quality of products that are available at the stalls. You will find everything from pottery, textiles, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, metalwork, leatherwork, bamboo work, terracotta work, papier-mache work, etc. You will also find products from different states and regions such as Rajasthan, Kashmir, Gujarat, Odisha , Assam , Tamil Nadu , Kerala , etc. Some of the popular items that you can buy at Delhi Haat are:
Pottery:
You can find some beautiful pottery items such as vases, bowls, plates, cups, etc. made by skilled potters from different parts of India. You can also find some unique pottery items such as blue pottery from Jaipur, black pottery from Manipur, and terracotta pottery from West Bengal.
Textiles:
You can find some exquisite textiles such as sarees, shawls, stoles, scarves, etc. made by expert weavers from different parts of India. You can also find some rare textiles such as pashmina from Kashmir, bandhani from Gujarat, ikat from Odisha, kantha from Bengal, chikankari from Uttar Pradesh, etc.
Jewelry:
You can find some stunning jewelry items such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, etc. made by talented jewelers from different parts of India. You can also find some distinctive jewelry items such as silver jewelry from Rajasthan, lac jewelry from Bihar, bead jewelry from Nagaland, etc.
Paintings:
You can find some amazing paintings such as oil paintings, watercolor paintings, acrylic paintings, etc. made by proficient painters from different parts of India. You can also find some special paintings such as madhubani from Bihar, warli from Maharashtra, pattachitra from Odisha, etc.
Some of the popular dishes that you can try at Delhi Haat
Apart from handicrafts, you can also enjoy some delicious food at Delhi Haat. You can find stalls serving dishes from different states and regions such as Punjab, Kerala, Bengal, Maharashtra , Goa , Andhra Pradesh , etc.
Street food:
You can find some mouth-watering street food such as chaat, golgappe, pav bhaji, vada pav, momos, etc. at Delhi Haat. These are perfect for a quick snack or a light meal.
Regional delicacies:
You can find some scrumptious regional delicacies such as chole bhature, dosa, idli, biryani, paratha, thali, etc. at Delhi Haat. These are perfect for a filling and satisfying meal.
Desserts:
You can find some delectable desserts such as kulfi, rabri, jalebi, halwa, laddoo, etc. at Delhi Haat. These are perfect for a sweet treat or a dessert.
Besides handicrafts and food, you can also enjoy some lively events at Delhi Haat. You can find events such as cultural performances, musical concerts, folk dances, theatre shows, etc. at Delhi Haat’s open-air amphitheater. You can also find events such as festivals and occasions that are celebrated at Delhi Haat such as Diwali, Holi, Baisakhi, Durga Puja, etc.
Also check out: Dilli Haat -Your Regional Cultural stop in Delhi
What to Do After Visiting Delhi Haat
After exploring Delhi Haat, you may want to visit some nearby places that are worth seeing. Here are some suggestions for nearby places to visit after visiting Delhi Haat:
Monuments: You can visit some historical monuments that are located near Delhi Haat such as Qutub Minar (5 km), Lotus Temple (6 km), Humayun’s Tomb (7 km), India Gate (8 km), etc.
Museums: You can visit some interesting museums that are located near Delhi Haat such as National Museum (8 km), National Rail Museum (9 km), Crafts Museum (10 km), Gandhi Smriti (10 km), etc.
Parks: You can visit some beautiful parks that are located near Delhi Haat such as Lodhi Garden (7 km), Nehru Park (8 km), Deer Park (9 km), Garden of Five Senses (10 km), etc.
Best Places to Stay Near Delhi Haat
After enjoying Delhi Haat and the nearby places, you may want to stay overnight in the area. Here are some suggestions for nearby places to stay after visiting Delhi Haat:
Budget Hotels:
You can find some comfortable and budget-friendly hotels that are located near Delhi Haat such as Hotel Park Residency (1 km), Royal Castle (2 km), Zostel Delhi (3 km), etc.
Boutique Stays / Resorts:
You can find some cozy and affordable guest houses that are located near Delhi Haat such as Zaza Stay (1 km), The JRD Luxury Boutique Hotel (2 km), The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (3 km), etc.
Hostels:
You can find some fun and cheap hostels that are located near Delhi Haat such as Moustache Delhi (2 km), Backpackers Heaven New King (3 km), goStops Delhi (4 km), etc.
Delhi Haat is a cultural hub of handicrafts, food, and events that showcases the diversity and richness of Indian art, cuisine, and culture. It is a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience the best of India’s rural and folk traditions in one place. Whether you want to shop for some exquisite handicrafts, savor some delicious cuisines, or enjoy some lively cultural performances, Delhi Haat has something for everyone.
You may also like to check out: Great Indian Food Festival at Delhi Haat!
We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
And if you have visited Delhi Haat or are planning to visit it soon, please share your experience and opinion with us. We would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading and happy traveling!
