Located in a bustling commercial neighbourhood of south Delhi, Dilli Haat is a government-run crafts bazaar that brings together craftspeople and artisans from around rural India, allowing them to display their skills and sell their wares directly to urban consumers. A haat is a village market, which Dilli Haat evokes in its traditional architecture, from thatched-roof kiosks to typical north Indian latticed brickwork, all shaded by soaring eucalyptus trees. Craftspeople and artists representing a wide range of Indian states occupy dozens of stalls, and are rotated every 15 days. Since it opened in 1994, a staggering 50,000 artisans have presented their work here, highlighting the extraordinary diversity of Indian handicrafts, and making repeat visits worthwhile. Prices are very reasonable on everything from cheap souvenirs to quality design. Among the huge range of goods are jewellery and precious stones, brassware and other metalwork, leather, silk fabrics, and stone sculpture. Look out for particularly fine rosewood and sandalwood carvings, elegant Kashmiri shawls and Madhubani painting from Bihar. More unusual items include embellished camel-hide shoes and chikan embroidery from Lucknow.

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