Rain rain don’t go away: This monsoon season, explore Delhi on foot

Take a walk and rediscover Delhi and its various historical gems. In this rainy weather, Delhi’s street food and lush greenery will make you want to ditch your car!

Along with relief from scorching temperatures, monsoon also brings with it a reason to go out and explore the city. What better way to experience Delhi than by walking through its green gardens, ruins and gallis?

Read: Study finds a short walk in nature helps reduce depression, high blood pressure

There are many groups that offer guided tours through the old and the new, the famous and the quaint parts of the city.

For Asif Khan Dehlvi, founder, Delhi Karavan, the best way to explore old parts of Delhi is by foot. He says, “Places like Chirag Dilli and Kotla Mubarakpur have so much history in their lanes that one is bound to pause and wonder. This is only possible if you are walking.”

Delhi Karavan during a walk at Safdarjung Tomb. (Raj Prajapati)

There are certain places which are avoided during the rainy season, due to waterlogging. “We prefer to not organise Old Delhi walks during monsoon, but if there is a demand then we do go to Jama Masjid in the evenings for food walks. During monsoon, we usually take people to places such as Sanjay Van, Safdarjung Tomb and Northern Ridge. Also the experience of visiting Humayun’s Tomb on a rain-drenched evening can wash away all your worries,” he adds.

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Kanika Singh, founder, Delhi Heritage Walks, says, “Monsoon is a good time when people enjoy these walks. We prefer to focus on the lesser known monuments such as the one around Kashmere Gate, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Tughlaqabad.”

Singh adds that the walks last up to 2 hours and the group is lead by a team member who acts as a guide. “We not only talk about the history and the architecture, but also tell people about the contemporary relevance of these places, in the context of the changing socio-political scenario,” she says.

The walks also include discussions about the places visited. (delhiheritagewalks)

According to Dhruv Gupta, founder, Masterji Kee Haveli, “The three aspects that best define the city are, food, heritage and culture.” Known for organising tours in Old Delhi, he tailors the set routes in monsoon, so that the rains don’t affect the experience.

Other groups which oragnise walks in Monsoon:

1.Delhi Walks: Experience Delhi’s cultural heritage.

2.Delhi Metro Walks: A glimpse of Delhi’s natural and historic beauty.

3.Delhi Food Walks: Discovering Delhi, one delicious grub at a time.

4. Walks 2 Remember: Walk, talk and share your Delhi stories.