Dilli Haat:
After my recent post on Rann Utsav, the cultural extravaganza showcasing Kutch handicraft and culture, here is a post on Dilli Haat, a place in Delhi to experience the culture from across India. Though I visited Delhi quite before my visit to Kutch.
Dilli Haat is a permanent open air market set up in rural style offering craft, food and cultural activities from across India. Dilli Haat was our last stop in HOHO Bus and our HOHO bus ticket got free entry to Dilli Haat. The hot sunny day had tired all three of us and we headed straight to the food court. Had chilling lassi at Amul counter and dosa at the Tamil Nadu tourism food stall and then took the tour of the market. Dilli Haat, reminded me of Dubai Global Village, which has stalls from across the world.
Set up in March 1994, DC handicrafts allows craftsmen to have their
stall in the market on rotational basis for maximum 15days at nominal
price. The stalls include wooden work,
pottery, leather footwear and home decors, pashmina shawls, fashion
accessories and many more. There was also a stall by one of the ladies
from Hyderabad, who sold handmade dolls mostly used during South Indian
weddings. Looking at the dolls I could make out those dolls were from south India and spoke to the lady, only to be told she was from Hyderabad and
was settled in Delhi from last few decades.
The market is a treat to the eyes, with lot of colourful stuff. Its a one stop place to experience the handicraft, food and culture from around the country.
Sarojini Nagar Market:
Very close to Dilli Haat is Sarojini Nagar market. SN market is similar to Fashion street and Linking road of Mumbai, a road side bargain market. We took an auto-rickshaw from Dilli Haat to SN market. This market is more into ladies fashion, you really find some quirky tops, footwear and fashion accessories here. Though the permanent shops have fixed prizes, you can bargain with the street vendors. Its said, its the export surplus and rejected export clothing which comes to this market, which makes even reputed branded clothings to be sold out at throwaway prices. Babu market is the lane in SN market, where you can find lined up sweet shops, and yes my eye always goes on the Agra Pethas.
After shopping here we headed back to INA to take our metro to Chandni Chowk. We stayed quite close to Chandni Chowk metro station and even kiddo had become familiar with the route. While returning back we had street food at Chandni Chowk, that was the only time we got to have food here, as the first day being holi, the market was closed and we had our brunch at McDonald's and then after either we were out for city tour or had to rush to McDonald's which was just next to the place we stayed.
Same night we left for Jaipur from Fatehpuri bus station in Chandni Chowk, which is the starting point of most of the buses playing between Delhi and Jaipur.
Dilli Haat is at INA. Nearest metro station INA, which is just at the entrance of Dilli Haat.
Entry Fee: Rs. 20/- for Adult and Rs. 10 for children Open all days
Timings: 11 AM to 9PM
Nearest metro station to Sarojini Market is INA.
SN market is an open market, closed on Mondays.
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