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There are plenty of ways to get cultural in Delhi, but these are very authentic experiences you won’t see many tourists doing. I live in Delhi, so I’ve done all the tourist things and seen all the sites, but I’ve also been to places tourist don’t go – places that locals and expats know about.
I’m going to get you off the well-worn path of Old Delhi street food tours, and into some places you probably hadn’t considered for a taste of Delhi culture. There are so many ways to get cultural in Delhi!
14 Unique Ways to Get Cultural in Delhi
Because Delhi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and has so many different communities living together, it has a very diverse and rich culture. These are the most authentic but unique ways to experience that culture.
1. Explore and attend an event at India Habitat Centre
India Habitat Centre is a semi private arts conference centre in New Delhi. It is membership based, but the public are welcome to explore the art galleries and attend exhibits and performances.
There are two art galleries, the wonderful Stein Auditorium, and an amphitheatre where you can see theatre, dance or music performances. The last time I was at the Stein Auditorium I saw a wonderful Indian classical music recital.
For performances in the Stein Auditorium check the calendar of events on the Habitat World website. You can buy tickets online through BookMyShow or in person at the India Habitat Centre. The atriums and art galleries are free and open to all.
While you’re there, have a meal at the retro diner Habitat Hub or the new premium food court, Habiteria.
2. Visit Bikaner House
This is one of those places that only Delhiites and the expat community seem to know about. It’s an absolute gem and one of my favourite places in Delhi. And it’s free!
It’s now a wonderful Indian art and cultural centre, but it was the palace of the Maharaja of Bikaner. It was opened to the public in 2015. You can stroll around the gardens, explore the palace, and view the art exhibits. It’s a unique opportunity to get into a real palace in Delhi.
There are 4 excellent restaurants on site, and there’s often a handicraft market. If you are going to India Gate, stop in here – it’s well worth it.
https://bikanerhouse.rajasthan.gov.in/
3. Attend an Indian Wedding
Weddings are not an event in Delhi, they are a season. Attending an Indian wedding in Delhi is the creme de la creme of ways to get cultural in Delhi!
If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Delhi wedding, attend as many of the events as you can. Indian weddings are multi-day affairs with many events, each one full of ritual and tradition.
It will be an unforgettable immersion in authentic Indian culture. And Indian weddings are so much fun!
Don’t know anyone getting married in Delhi? No problem. You can buy a ticket to attend a wedding through JoinMyWedding. These are real Indian weddings that couples open up to foreign visitors to help offset the costs. You’ll be treated as a guest of honour. I highly recommend it!
https://www.joinmywedding.com/
4. Eat regional food at a state bhawan
If you want to eat delicious food at bargain prices, eat at a state bhawan. Delhi has state bhawans (government buildings) from every state in India, and most have a canteen serving regional foods. These canteens are very popular with government workers and locals and often packed at lunchtime, but off the tourist trail.
If there’s a thali tray on offer (a mixed tray with regional specialties), order that. It’s always good value and often all you can eat. Bhawans are usually closed between meal times. Typical hours (these can vary) are breakfast: 8-10:00 am, lunch: 12:30-3:00 pm and dinner: 7:30-10:00 pm.
The best canteens are in Andhra Pradesh Bhawan, Gujurat Bhawan, Tamil Nadu House, Delhi Karnataka Sangha and Maharashtra Sadan. They’re all centrally located.
5. Go see local theatre
Delhi is the nation’s capital and the hub of Indian performing arts. You can expect to see everything from Shakespeare, Chekhov (I saw a Sophocles tragedy the last time I want to the theatre in Delhi) to notable Indian playwrights. Many plays are in English.
The best theatre in Delhi is the Kamani Auditorium, but there are many other smaller venues. One of the best theatre companies is Little Theatre Group. Attending a live play is one of the most authentic ways to experience culture in Delhi.
Live theatre in Delhi is not expensive. I’ve seen tickets for INR 200 ($2.40 USD). Check upcoming performances and book tickets on the BookMyShow website.
6. Volunteer in the langar kitchen at a Gurudwara
Volunteering in a gurudwara kitchen is one of the most special ways to get cultural in Delhi, and experience the generous nature of the Sikh community.
A Gurudwara is a Sikh temple, and langar is the free meal served to everyone, regardless of race, religion or nationality. Delhi has two very prominent gurudwaras, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Old Delhi and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. Even famed chef Jamie Oliver visited Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to see the kitchen in action!
The kitchens and langar halls are entirely staffed by volunteers. Both welcome visitors who want to help in the kitchen. Make sure you stay and eat langar after – it’s a special and unique experience.
7. Enjoy a musical or dance recital at India International Centre
India International Centre is a great place to see a traditional Indian dance or music performance. It’s membership based, primarily aimed at the educated and elite of Delhi society, but they do open up quite a few events to the public.
They host a very active schedule of film screenings, talks and live performances. I love this centre, especially the government subsidized bar, but you do need to be the guest of a member to enjoy the bar or restaurant.
8. See a film at the Habitat International Film Festival
Delhi’s premiere film festival is like a mini TIFF or Cannes. Each year the festival showcases 60 of the best international films from the past year. The selection is top notch, all award winning movies that have already received critical acclaim.
It’s hosted by India Habitat Centre and focuses on a different country each year, but cinema from over 30 countries is shown.
And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also free. A few days before the festival begins, tickets are available online to the public on the Habitat International Film Festival website. Dates change each year, the current festival is March 8-17, 2024.
https://www.facebook.com/HabitatWorld/
9. Enjoy the art and vibe of Delhi Art Week
I’m not sure what is about Delhi Art Week that gets the city so excited, but there is definitely a buzz when this festival rolls around.
Not only are there venues all across the city showcasing visual arts, there’s musical performances, bars and restaurants host Art Week events, Delhiites throw private parties – it’s a huge deal! The whole city gets involved.
Maybe it’s the timing – Delhi Art Week is in December, which can be a dreary, cold time in Delhi. Delhi Art Week gives everyone a reason to get out, get cultural and socialize.
10. Shop and eat at Central Market Lajpat Nagar
Central Market Lajpat Nagar is one of the most famous markets in Delhi. You won’t see a lot of tourists here, but it’s a favourite amongst locals.
This is the best place to pick up Indian clothing, wedding attire, jewelry and a host of other things at reasonable prices. It also has amazing street food stalls, like Ram Laddu Food Corner and Dolma Aunty Momo’s.
This part of Delhi was mainly developed post-Partition to serve the growing population. It’s in a very authentic section of the city, away from the 5 star hotels and embassies, but still in affluent South Delhi.
11. Step back in time and enjoy a kathak performance at Kathika
Kathika is a unique centre in historic Old Delhi. It’s located in a beautifully restored 19th century haveli in the heart of what was Shahjahanabad, the 7th medieval city of Delhi.
Every afternoon (except Monday when the centre is closed) there is a traditional kathak performance. Kathak is the art of storytelling through dance and music. It is one of the most graceful forms of dance I have ever seen.
Kathika is worth visiting even if you don’t see a performance. The haveli itself is a cultural museum and full of insight into traditional life in Shahjahanabad (now Old Delhi).
12. Join a sacred aarti at a temple
I’m sure you’ll visit some of Delhi’s famous temples, but try to time one of your visits so you can witness an aarti.
An aarti is a sacred, religious ritual. Most Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples have aartis at least twice a day, morning and evening. It’s a beautiful, devotional expression of faith. Everyone is free to join an aarti, regardless of religion or nationality.
During an aarti devotees stand in front of the shrine while a temple priest recites prayers and lights a lamp in front of the deity. Devotees often make offerings of flowers and coconuts which are then blessed by the deity, and offered back to everyone in the temple.
All aartis are special, but the most fascinating ones I ever witnessed in Delhi are at the ISKCON temple.
13. Drink street chai
Nothing could be more culturally true than drinking street chai in Delhi. India is a tea drinking nation and chai (sweet milky tea, lightly spiced) is enormously popular. There are chai walas on practically every corner in Delhi in the mornings.
Drinking chai is not one of the most unique ways to get cultural in Delhi, but I hardly ever see any foreigners drinking it unless they’re with a tour group.
Chai is thoroughly boiled, so it’s safe to drink. Street chai is delicious, super cheap (INR 10 aprox $0.12 USD), and a very authentic Delhi experience.
14. Visit a diplomatic cultural centre
Experience Delhi as the nation’s capital by visiting one of the international centres. New Delhi has over 170 diplomatic missions, including embassies, consulates, and high commissions, and many have their own cultural centres.
You don’t need to be a citizen or part of the diplomatic community to visit most of them. Besides hosting their own festivals and events, lots offer classes. You can sign up for taekwondo at the Korean Cultural Centre or Spanish at the Instituto Cervantes, for example.
Some of the larger diplomatic cultural centres are:
- Italian Cultural Institute of New Delhi
- Alliance Française (French)
- Goethe Institut (German)
- Instituto Cervantes (Spanish)
- Korean Cultural Centre
Where to Stay to Experience the Culture of Delhi
Delhi has many beautiful heritage properties that reflect its Mughal and British Raj past. These are the best:
The Imperial $$$
The most luxurious and charming heritage hotel in Delhi is the Imperial. Marble floors, Persian carpets, Burma teak, it’s a beautiful property with every comfort. The Imperial is very centrally located in Connaught Place, an excellent spot for exploring the city from.
Check rates and availability at the Imperial
Maidens Hotel $$
A lovely 5 star heritage hotel in the north part of Delhi, where the British used to headquarter. It’s a very colonial hotel, with 55 well-appointed rooms. While not as luxurious as the Imperial, rooms are larger and the price is more budget-friendly. You can walk to the metro in 5 minutes and easily get to anywhere in Delhi.
Check rates and availability at Maidens Hotel
The Ambassador $$
A smaller, lovely 5 star property, it’s part of the Taj group, so you know it’s going to be nice. The location is super. It’s beside Khan Market, and a short walk to Delhi’s most beautiful park, Lodhi Garden. It simply doesn’t get much better than that.
Check rates and availability at the Ambassador
Haveli Dharampura $$
Immerse yourself in history by staying at the beautifully restored Haveli Dharampura or its sister property, Golden Haveli in the heart of Old Delhi. Close to ruin, these havelis have been lovingly restored and are now luxury boutique hotels – the only ones in the old city. While extremely rich in history and culture, Old Delhi is congested, dirty and noisy. A night or two will probably be enough.
Check rates and availability at Haveli Dharampura and Golden Haveli
The Wrap-up on 14 Unique Ways to Get Cultural in Delhi
These are my top choices to get you off the well-worn culture path. You will see foreigners at these places, but most of them will be expats and members of the diplomatic community. You can find more insight into the culture of Delhi here.
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
