How To Spend a Great Day at Dilli Haat

Late nights sleep and lazy mornings are all part of Delhi's winter. So if you happen to wake up late after a relished sleep and if you are late for breakfast, wriggle out of your blanket and refresh yourself with a walk. Delhi's brief winter is here to stay.  Autumn has gone with her warmth abandoning the variegated leaves on the ground for the winter chill to tramp over. But Delhites love this season of roadside teas and warm peanuts. Dilli Haat is just the right place to go and celebrate Delhi's winter.

A photo feature here will give you some tips on how to spend a perfect day at Dilli Haat.

 Festival of India organised by Delhi Tourism is underway at Dilli Haat. There are no separate entry tickets for it other than the usual 20 Rs entry ticket. But one has to sit till 6pm in order to witness the extravagant event. A day is given to every States and Union Territories to showcase their rich musical and dance tradition.  

You can begin your day with some shopping. With the onset of winter, many shops have started putting up winter clothes. Colorful Chunni or muffler is a must have item if you have to brave the winter in Delhi. 

Warm and thick woolen sandals are one of the most comfortable forswear that can be worn at home. 

Kolhapuri is one of India's most popular traditional chappals. Dilli Haat is full of goods that makes India exotic to other countries. Foreigners adore this place.  

After shopping you can sit down for a good brunch. There are food stores from almost every states of India like Maharastraas, Rajasthan, Orrisa, West Bengal, Nagaland, Aasam, sikkim, Manipur and Punjab. Lately Grillz and August Spice have come up cater to the demand of people that favors fast food. Places like Rajasthan, Punjab, Orissa serves thali whereas Sikkim is known for momo and Nagland serves good fried pork.

A delicious plate of momo at a Sikkimese store along with a warm soup makes the trip worthwhile.

After lunch just laze around and find a quiet place to read a book. If you are not too much of a reader you can still listen to folk music performed by Rajasthani musicians on their authentic handmade instruments. Then, you can go for one more round of shopping. Dilli Haat is a world of its own. You'll get almost everything here, including many of the items displayed at the recently concluded 31st India International Trade Fair. Be it the famous Madhubani paintings of Bihar, Decorative items and Pashmina shawls from Kashmir or bags made of jute and many more. 

Sitting for a portrait can be fun if you have the time and the patience. It doesn't cost you more than Rs 300. Women can have Mehndi painted on their hands. If you are an art enthusiast you can also see the Saora Tribal artist at work.   

At 6pm you can enjoy the 'Festivals of India' in full swing. 
Goan representative performing Mando dance and songs at the Goa night. Though Goa has its own  songs and dance, they still choose to preserve their Portuguese influence on their culture in the form of Mando. The night shows during the festivals last for 1-2 hours.

Dilli Haat is perfectly lit like during Diwali. The air is cool and it is just the perfect place for this time of the year. You can unwind your day with a hot cup of tea at the Chaiwala outside the gate. 

Schedule for the State-wise performance at the Festivals of India. 

To learn more about Festivals of India Please visit http://www.indianholiday.com/fairs-festivals-india/

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Monsoon Bonanza in Delhi

A young school girl relishing the rain

The heat waves that tormented Delhi during the brooding summer has softened in the hands of the Indian Monsoon. The rain gods have shown favor once again, and the long Indian Monsoon is here to stay for some time. Delhi has never looked greener and more refreshing. Delhi joins the whole nation in heralding the arrival of this life bringing- Monsoon.

Picture of Delhi's slothful summer is nothing more than chaos. The sound of AC rattling, or fan clattering late into the morning and again to late night can be stressful. It can build up like a lump on your throat. Monsoon swallows the stress. The soft patter of the rain on the leaves and over the asphalt, sings you to sleep. It gives you the experience of being in the countryside, while you are in the city.

The least one can say about the Monsoon in the City is that- it rejuvenates and injects life. Smell of ripe mangoes deluge the smell of sweats. And the city altogether wears a different color and flavor. 

As The weather Girls sings 'it's raining men! Hallelujah!' over the music player, the city dwellers welcomes the rain on their rooftop. Sights of boys splashing away on the streets or bevy of girls dancing on their rooftops are common sight with the rain.

India gate is popular during this season. The air is cool and the sky is shaded; it invites you to come out to any open space and chill the day. And the experience is priceless because the season is brief.

It's a season to take a walk in the rain and to get drenched like a child. It's the season of sighting beautiful rain clouds, beautiful sunsets and small ponds. It is the best time to listen to the music as you search your memories for little reminiscences. It's  time to set your minds free and ride on the nimbus clouds, with your imagination high. 

Experience Delhi anew. A long walks in the cool of the day at Delhi Zoo can be refreshing. A long metro ride on the Noida-Dwarka track, above the buildings and and green trees is altogether a new experience on a rainy day. You'll get to see the Yamuna river hugging the shore like never before. Playful walk along the ruins of forts like Lal Quila, Purana Quila, Tughlagabad fort, can evoke a nostalgic feeling and can make you feel connected to the place instantly. Trudge along the streets of Chandni Chowk on the eve of Id and experience the delicacies of Indian cuisines. Climb up the stairs of Jama Masjid and watch thousands of faithful saying their prayers in unison. Amble down the drenched path to the serene Lake at Deer park and watch the duck paddle softly past you. Delhi has so much to offer!

Delhi comes alive right in front of your eyes once again. And you don't have to deal anymore with the discomfort of the heat wave, that so much blinds your eyes. Check out more tourist attractions in Delhi.

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