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DILLIHAAT

Dillihaat a showpiece of traditional Indian culture was opened to the public from 1994 in Delhi and it is a joint venture of Delhi Tourism (DTDC), D.C (Handicrafts), NMDC, D.C. (Handlooms) and Ministry of Tourism and Textile, Government of India. Dillihat is actually the idea/ plan produced by the creative thought of the Tourism Development of Delhi. The basic motive behind the establishment of Dillihaat is to support and encourage the arts and crafts in India. Dillihaat is the right place to take delight or pleasure in shopping ethnic, elegant and sophisticated products along with a variety of dishes to snack in the food plaza.

The rates here are quite reasonably priced and it is always available under one single roof. Dillihaat is situated in North Delhi in Pitampura at the Netaji Subhash place. The DTTDC along with Dillihaat also developed another similar market and it is Sri Aurobindo Marg that is opposite to INA Market. Dillihaat sprawls over an area of about 7.2 hectares. Apart from being the permanent location for the traditional craft one also get to witness the various art forms like music, cultural festival and dance, etc. Dillihaat takes the pride of being the venue of India's first Comic Convention which was organized in the year 2011.

It is a weekly bazaar with a display of a broader outlook and vantage point. Dillihaat mainly encourages the rural culture and also supports the villages in India to exhibit and showcase their talents, product and thereby their culture in a wide array. The Dillihaat unlike the other high markets gives a very homely ambience surfaced with stone, sprinkled grass, brickwork, eucalyptus trees, flowering shrubs, etc. Apart from the traditional craft works, Dillihaat is also a place for non native and tropical art work like handlooms, handicrafts, woodcarvings, camel hide footwear, drapery, fabric made clothing, gems, beads ornaments, etc.

Most of the stalls in the Dillihaat Bazaar take turn on a Rotational Basis

-Most of the stalls in the Dillihaat bazaar takes its turn on a rotational basis where the shops will have different product once in every 15 days, so that the visitors can enjoy shopping different products highlighting and giving special importance to different part of India and even the craftsmen get a chance to place their products in the Dillihaat market. When it comes to the food joints again unlike the other markets of the city there are no pavement shops but instead pucca cuisines which provide with lip smacking variety of dishes from different states - South India to North India. Apart from shopping, the people of Delhi also take a drive to this place mainly to enjoy the food at the multiple cuisines which are housed in Dillihaat.

There are also lot food festivals which are conducted in the cuisines at Dillihaat. So Dillihaat is a place which promises to bring closer the rural life and folk art to the urban clientele. Thus Dillihaat provides an opportunity to showcase the skills of the artisans and their corresponding art is appreciated amidst thousands of visitors and shoppers who come to this market. Dillihaat is the home to thousands of handicraft and handloom artisans. The entire atmosphere of Dillihaat is not only creative but also a place for activities done for enjoyment where the whole family can have fun and a gala time. Dillihaat is the most ideal place for unwinding and relishing a wide variety of cuisine without paying exorbitant rates.

Developmental Corporation of the Handicrafts:

There are stalls dishing out sumptuous delicacies from different States and Union Territories; an Exhibition Hall; a Souvenir shop selling an assortment of small gift items; an open stage for cultural programmes and a playing area exclusively earmarked for children.Anybody and everybody cannot put up their stall in Dillihaat but only those who are registered with the Developmental Corporation of the Handicrafts have the right to place their shops in the campus of Dillihaat. There are nearly 70 - 75 stalls selling their craft and art products in Dillihaat. The rent charged by the DTDC for placing their stalls in Dillihaat is very nominal for it is only 100 Rupees charged for a period of 15 days.

The shoppers can get the product at the price that is not burdened with the maintenance cost. Another advantage to Dillihaat is its location for being in the heart of India that is South Delhi - it attracts many international and national tourists and visitors throughout the year. Dillihaat also houses a playground in it for the children. Dillihaat has admirable handicrafts like sandalwood and rosewood carvings, brass ware products, metal ware, jewelry made from gems, camel hide footwear, etc. The most ideal time to visit Dillihaat is in the evenings because the place gets highlighted with gleaming lights enhancing the charm and beauty of the whole handicraft village where we can enjoy the state of being diverse which is offered in the Indian culture.

Dillihaat shops are cottage-like:

Dillihaat was recovered from a wasteland and slowly got transformed into a beautiful shopping market or traditional arts and crafts. The best part of the Dillihaat is its foundation work where most of the shops are more like a cottage with thatched roofings thereby giving the market a village environment. As discussed earlier some shops in Dillihaat are permanent whereas most of them work on the basis of rotation for once in every fifteen days. The fabrics sold here are very exclusive like trail-blazing textiles, silk wool and draperies. There are lot of shops in Dillihaat which deals with gems and beads.

Handicrafts and Handlooms are Promoted to a Great Extent in Dillihaat:

Handicrafts and handlooms are promoted to a great extent in Dillihaat. A seller cannot sell his product anywhere in Dillihaat once the application is given to the concerned department they will decide on which place to allocate for the seller and his products. Dillihaat works on all the seven days of a week from 10.30 am to 10.00 pm. Unlike the other markets we need to pay a nominal entrance fee to get into Dillihaat where an adult is charged Rs.20 and children Rs.10.The DTTDC ensures the authencity of the products here and always have a check on the prices so that it is not inflated by high maintenance costs. The moment we step into the Dillihaat market we get the feel of entering into a magical world showcasing an extremely interesting perspective of crafts, cuisine and cultural activities.

Anybody who enters into Dillihaat will never return back without buying the unique products sold in the market. The shops in Dillihaat can be grouped into different sections like handicrafts, antiques, European fashions, rugs and carpets, leather articles, silks, furniture, jewelry and linen and fabrics. The idea of being in a broad spectrum means the blending of urban modern day culture along with the rural aesthetic vibrations that gives the craftsmen and the artisans to feel at ease. In Dillihaat the sale takes place directly between the seller and the buyers without any middlemen to share the profits of the things sold. This is will invariably encourage and help the artisans by all means.

Dillihaat Market is a Single Place Destination

The Dillihaat market is a single place destination offering the visitors with the best of crafts and handloom things and also a wide spread of food pertaining to specialties of the different states in India. Dillihaat enables the craftsmen to come out of their village and sell their products by themselves rather than depending on some one else. The craft market in Dillihaat being a joint venture of Delhi tourism and Transport Development Corporation also gets financial and technical support and aids from the Ministry of Textiles, Government of Delhi. Apart from the excusive fabrics lot of interesting products like Carved Stone Pieces, Leather items, Silk Products, Precious Stones, Jewelry from Delhi, and Wood Work are sold in Dillihaat.

Artisans Perform Live Demonstration That Adds a Glory to the Bazaar:

One need to walk to different shops to find all the above mentioned products for everything is available under one roof. Since Dillihaat is visited by a number of tourists there are also other entertainments happening in the market like artists from different parts of the country perform and display their skill thereby showcasing their Indian culture. The potters and artisans perform live demonstration that adds a glory to the bazaar. There are nearly 25 food stalls in Dillihaat which provides the visitors with varieties like the local specialty to momos from Sikkim or the Bamboos hot chicken from Nagaland, Kahwa and Kebabs from Jammu, Pooranpoli from Maharashtra or the Gujrati Dhokla.

The best part about the food stalls in Dillihaat is that no plastic is used and the items used are all eco- friendly. Accessibility to Dillihaat is very easy for Delhi is excellent in public transportation. Apart from own conveyance one can reach Dillihaat either by the metro rail or the buses. Dillihaat being close to the INA market any mode of transport will be comfortable. The terminus for Dillihaat is the INA market. Another Dillihat (Aurbndomarg) is situated at Pitampura near the TV tower. Dillihaat is very well connected to the other parts of the city. Dillihaat being quite popular among the localites and it is very easy to find the route with the help of a local person.