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Delhi is definitely not considered to be the most pedestrian-friendly city. But we guarantee that our list of walks, ranging from chasing fireflies to discovering idol-makers will have you lacing up your walking shoes and heading outdoors in no time.
Did you know you could witness fireflies in their natural habitat in the middle of Delhi? The New Delhi Nature Society has been organising a Fireflies Workshop every weekend in Hauz Khas Village that allows you into the world of these fascinating bioluminescent creatures. Science and beauty converge in this immersive event that founder and nature lover Virhaen Khanna leads. The walking workshop allows you to glimpse these mesmerising creatures up close. You will learn the secrets of their glow and how they communicate. Also, discover first-hand how light pollution and habitat loss continuously threaten these marvellous creatures.
Duration: 1 hour; Rs 350 per person; for details, visit ndns.in
Various criminal groups caused chaos in Delhi through burglary, cheating and robbing. The most notorious of the Mughal period were the thuggees and thuggeenis, who lured travellers into guesthouses. The area outside Delhi Gate became the infamous haunt of this criminal fraternity. Operating in secrecy, these criminals were almost impossible to identify, and they believed their violence had the divine approval of Goddess Kali. Hosted by Delhinama and Darwesh Taleweavers and led by Nikita Arora, this incredibly fascinating Thugs of Delhi walk explores who their preferred targets were, how they concealed their crimes, their escape strategies, and how the citizens of Delhi eventually defended themselves from this cult. .
Duration: 2.5 hours; Rs 630 per person; for details visit @delhinama on Instagram
On the enchanting Built Legacy of Mughals, a heritage walk through Old Delhi with Sachin Bansal's India City Walks, you will discover the vibrant lanes where history, food, and culture blend seamlessly. As you stroll through Chandni Chowk, Fatehpuri Mosque, and Red Fort, you will be transported in time. Meet some locals, hear anecdotes, search for some silver jewellery, try your hand at kite flying and finally end up gorging on scrumptious parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali, biryanis at Karim's and mithai at Ghantewala, one of India's oldest sweet shops. You can join them for a walk that attempts to comprehend the experience of Partition, which remains poorly understood both within and outside the subcontinent through facts, poetry, literature, photographs, paintings and personal belongings.
Independence Walk Series
Date: 11th Aug, Sunday
Fee: INR 735/- Per person (Incl GST)
Time: 11 AM
Duration: 2 - 2.5hours
Language: Mix of Hindi & English
Baithak Host: Nitika
Location: Partition Museum
All walks are customised, for details visit indiacitywalks.com
Fascinated by food that makes Delhi a quintessential foodie haven? Set out on Saawan Ke Swaad: A monsoon food walk with Ramit Mitra of DelhiByFoot. Each season has savoury and sweet delights, and this breakfast, blended with a heritage walk, will introduce you to delicacies associated with the monsoon season and all-season treats. Relish ghewar (a sweet associated with Teej) and nihari. You'll also learn about the origins of jalebis and samosas as you traverse the streets of Chandni Chowk via Jama Masjid, Chawri Bazar, Ajmeri Gate and Shahjahanabad.
Duration: 3.5 hours, from INR 750 per person; for details, visit delhibyfoot.in/walks/
Spread across 90 acres, the verdant picnic spot Sunder Nursery captured Delhi's heart when it opened. It marked the Mughals' initial architectural presence in the Indian subcontinent and showcased their deep appreciation for nature. The Delhinama's walk takes you through this gorgeous heritage garden, a living example of Mughal landscaping and architecture. The park is an open-air museum that boasts nearly 300 species of trees and its monuments from the early Mughal era, such as Sunderwala Burj, Lakkarwala Burj, Azimganj Sarai, Sunderwala Mahal, and Bateshewala Complex will all be explored.
Duration: 2 hours; INR 735 per person; for details, visit @delhinama on Instagram
When Anubhuti Krishna started food walks in Lucknow, her avid history lover husband Debashish regaled their guests with tales of heritage. Slowly, their popularity became so that Delhi-based guests also demanded to walk around the city. Debashish Kar leads heritage walks at the Mehrauli Complex or the Humayun's Tomb complex, discussing the art, architecture and history of the elements of these complexes, with a focus on contemporary culture. Ending with a picnic-style breakfast made by Anubhuti or at a cafe, they offer a unique morning experience for Delhiites in the cooler months between Autumn to Spring. Dilli with Debashish is set to launch a two-day exploration via Delhi Metro in October 2024 for visitors to the national capital, including food and heritage.
For more details and walk dates, contact @lucknowwithanubhuti on Instagram.
In the run-up to Durga Puja, DelhiByFoot offers you a chance to experience the preparations that lead up to the Bengali festival with their Pre-Durga Puja Walk in Mini Bengal: Culture, Idol Makers & Food. Highlights include visiting an idol maker's workshop to see how a statue is created and perhaps even help make a Maa Durga idol. Learn about the myths and stories as you stroll through the markets of Chittaranjan Park, watch their preparations, and indulge in a traditional Bengali breakfast.
Duration: 3.5 hours; Rs 1,200; for details, visit delhibyfoot.com
Art writer Ritika Kochhar frequently conducts museum walkthroughs. Art lovers and novices alike can join her at the National Gallery of Modern Art on the Nation Building and Art walk, which explores how art played and continues to play a crucial part in creating the concept of a nation. The art exploration starts with Amrita Shergill, Rabindranath Tagore and Nandlal Bose, and how partition shaped post-independence artists like Satish Gujral, Krishan Khanna and BC Sanyal. Eventually, it ends with how progressives like MF Husain aligned India with post-impressionistic-styles-of the west.
Duration: 90 minutes; walks are customised; for details, visit @dillikidiva on Instagram
