Dilli Haat is Delhi’s standing open-air market for crafts, handlooms and regional food. This article covers who built it, how its stalls rotate, and the facts exams test.
At a glance
Four key facts on this topic
Contents
What it is and how it works
Short Answer
1.1 What is Dilli Haat?
Dilli Haat is a standing open-air market for crafts, handlooms and regional food. It stands opposite INA Market in South Delhi. It was inaugurated in March 1994.
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, or DTTDC, set it up with partners. DTTDC is a Government of Delhi undertaking. Delhi Tourism lists it among its tourist places.
Think it through: Which Delhi body set up Dilli Haat?
DTTDC, a Delhi government body, with the NDMC and central offices.
Who Set It Up
2.1 Which bodies built it together?
Delhi Tourism and the NDMC set up Dilli Haat jointly. NDMC is the New Delhi Municipal Council. Two craft offices of the Ministry of Textiles joined them. They are the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and the Development Commissioner (Handlooms). The Ministry of Tourism also took part.
So the project was not the work of one body. Exam questions often test this point.
2.2 Why is it called a haat?
A haat is a weekly market in rural, semi-urban and sometimes even urban India. Dilli Haat copies the feel of a village market in a modern setting.
In a village haat the market moves. At Dilli Haat the market stays and the craftspeople move in turn.
Think it through: Is Dilli Haat a periodic market like a village haat?
No. The site is fixed. Only the stall holders change.
How Stalls Work
3.1 Who gets a craft stall?
Registered craftspeople and weavers get stalls on a rotational basis. Each stay lasts about 14 or 15 days. The payment is nominal.
The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) allots handicraft stalls. The Development Commissioner (Handlooms) allots handloom stalls. Applications are invited on an All India basis.
3.2 How many stalls are there?
The allotment policy lists 166 built-up craft stalls at Dilli Haat INA. Of these, 120 are handicraft stalls and 46 are handloom stalls. Counts and rates in old official pages differ, so treat figures as dated.
3.3 Can artisans apply online?
Yes. The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) runs a portal for online applications. An artisan logs in with a Pehchan card number and an OTP sent to a registered mobile.
An OTP is a one-time password.
3.4 What about food and prices?
The Citizen Charter says Dilli Haat INA has 25 food stalls. They have been allotted to state tourism corporations to promote regional cuisines. The organisers also favour a check on prices to keep them moderate.
Think it through: Why do stalls rotate?
Rotation lets craftspeople from every region get a turn to sell.
Other sites and events
Other Dilli Haats
4.1 Where are the other two?
Delhi has two more Dilli Haats. Dilli Haat Pitampura opened in April 2008. It covers 7.2 acres and has 108 craft stalls and an amphitheatre.
Dilli Haat Janakpuri opened on 13 July 2014. It covers 8 acres. The Delhi Development Authority leased the land to DTTDC, which developed it.
| Site | Opened | Area |
|---|---|---|
| INA | March 1994 | About 6 acres |
| Pitampura | April 2008 | 7.2 acres |
| Janakpuri | 13 July 2014 | 8 acres |
Areas and dates come from Delhi Tourism pages and its Citizen Charter.
Think it through: Which Dilli Haat is the newest?
Janakpuri, opened in July 2014.
Events and Fairs
5.1 What events are held there?
Dilli Haat INA hosts national craft events. The Ministry of Textiles held Master Creation 2 there from 1 to 15 December 2025. The fair features award-winning artisans.
In September 2024 NIFT and the Ministry of Textiles held CHHAAP at Dilli Haat. NIFT is the National Institute of Fashion Technology. The event had more than 160 stalls.
Think it through: Why do such fairs happen at Dilli Haat?
The site already has stalls, visitors and a craft focus.
Exam practice
Exam Traps
6.1 Which facts do students mix up?
- Dilli Haat INA opened in March 1994. Pitampura followed in April 2008. Janakpuri opened on 13 July 2014.
- Delhi Tourism set it up with partners. The Textiles Ministry offices allot craft stalls.
- Stalls rotate on a 14 or 15 day cycle. The site itself is fixed.
- Pitampura is measured in acres, not hectares.
Remember this
- Opened: INA March 1994, Pitampura April 2008, Janakpuri 13 July 2014.
- Set up by: Delhi Tourism (DTTDC), NDMC and central offices.
- Stalls: rotational, 14 or 15 days, 166 craft stalls at INA.
- Allotment: DC (Handicrafts) and DC (Handlooms).
- Food: 25 stalls allotted to state tourism corporations.
Explain it back: Why is Dilli Haat a fixed market even though its stalls rotate?
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