Shopping In Delhi: Dilli Haat

On one of my recent trips, I visited Delhi. I went there expecting to be completely unable to breathe, because of all the news that I had watched about Delhi being very polluted. But, in the middle of summer, it somehow wasn’t that bad. Our driver mentioned the pollution becomes a major issue mainly during the winters. That isn’t what this article is about though. Its about one of the best places to shop in Delhi, Dilli Haat. Managed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation, it is an open-air bazaar. The government has allotted 62 stalls to different craftsmen, on a rotational basis, who pay the government Rs. 100 per day for a maximum period of 15 days.

These stalls vary from pottery articles to different types of clothes. Everything in the bazaar is courtesy of local artisans, weavers, and small-scale manufacturers. The beauty of Dilli Haat lies in the commitment that the shopkeepers have towards their businesses. They spend all of their time selling their products under the scorching Delhi heat, without even a fan to relieve them. My personal favorite aspect was the different types of tiny restaurants there serving delicious food. While, one would normally want to go to a big mall like Select Citywalk when visiting Delhi, I would recommend going to places like these to find some extraordinary things, beautifully handcrafted just for you.

Beautiful Kashmiri and Pashmina stoles, and sarees, bound to draw any woman’s eye. Genuine leather bags and handmade notebooks, are also a very common sight in Dilli Haat. Another eyecatcher especially for women and girls are the numerous clothes stalls with super cheap rates! The same thing that one would have to buy for more than a thousand rupees in a mall, you can find it in Dilli Haat with astonishingly low prices. You will not be able to realize how so much time would pass by when you are in a place where there is so much to do!It’s a collection of original and one of a kind art pieces that are sure to blow your mind. The next time you are in Delhi, be sure to visit Dilli Haat and let the local goodness and air sink in.