If you swear by wanderlust in your veins and are most likely to be found hanging around with your DSLR taking a hundred shots that may seem pretty alike to a layman, you would know what a satiating photo-walk really means. Ask a photographer what makes his day and prompt comes the reply, “Color painted lanes, fascinating graffiti walls, myriad of electric wires with age old houses in backdrop and cultural gullies.” You need not fret, this summer; we bring to you the most scenic options for a worthwhile photowalk. So charge your camera batteries, load your camera and put your best lens forward.
1. Chandini Chowk
KIRTI VIRMANI
If there’s one place that is often touted as the soul of Dilwalon ki Dilli, it’s definitely Chandini Chowk. With Dilli 6 and Paranthe wali gali to boast about, this old Delhi paradise takes you by storm. Electric wires intertwined with eachother, vintage houses, crowded by-lanes and a cultural mash up (Jama Masjid, a must see) is a jaw dropping sight for all photographers. Sundays work best for photo-walks here. Make sure you hit the road by 8:30 am to get the most beautiful portrait shots. Else you might be lost in the ever-flooded streets of Chandini Chowk.
Nearest metro station: Chandini Chowk/Chaawri Bazaar
2. Connaught Place/Hailey Road
AKRITI SONDHI
If you ask a commoner, he would say Connaught Place can no longer be touted as one of the best photography locations in Delhi. But if you ask a photographer, he would give you a 1001 reasons to wrong the commoner and take our word, you will have no other option but to relent to his/her logical argument. CP is one location which will give you the best of both worlds. From old school to chic modern, from contemporary to ethnic stuff (Janpath), from ever inquisitive tourists to the Indian lot, from high end brands to most carefully and surreally handcrafted pieces, it rewards you with everything in one go. In recent times, Hailey Road has turned out to be a delight for photography enthusiasts with an amusing graffiti wall and Agrasen ki Baoli to boast about. Avoid Sundays since you are most likely to encounter a deserted CP.
Nearest metro station: Rajiv Chowk
3. Dilli Haat
SHRUTI MAHESHWARI
Fascinated with bringing out the best of India with the creative explosion among craftsmen? What better than Dilli Haat to set your pulse racing?
Dilli Haat gives you an incredible insight into the artwork of craftsmen across India and you can’t help but go gaga over the kind of talent that resides within India. Silk dupattas, splendid jewellery, beautiful kohlapuri chappals and a lot more to satisfy your photographer’s eye. Also, you can treat your taste buds with the most sumptuous food ever all over from India, be it ‘Gujarat ki khushboo’ or the ‘Incredible Madhya Pradesh’ or ‘Sadda Punjab’.
Weekdays are the best bets.
Timings: 10:30 am to 10 pm
Entry fees: Rs 20 for adults
Nearest metro station: INA
4. Hauz Khas Village
SHRUTI MAHESHWARI
If you look comprehensively, Hauz Khas Village is nowhere close to the outlay of a village but more like a luxury village offering you good photography vibes. High end fashion stores, Kitsch stuff, a huge wonder wall dedicated exclusively to the graffiti lover in you, the much talked about Hauz Khas Fort, random strokes of art, regular creative explosions and brightly painted walls and windows. Even if you are not really a fan of photography, you will fall head over heels in love with this place and wont mind taking out your smartphone to take a shot or two.
Nearest metro station: Greenpark/Hauz Khas
5. Shahpur Jat
SHRUTI MAHESHWARI
Next to be ticked off on the list of Delhi Photowalks is Shahpur Jat, often referred to as the next Hauz Khas Village with an even multiplied degree and intensity of creativity. This is one place in Delhi that mixes all emotions and art in the most amusing manner. Dozens of graffiti walls to put your lens to some good use? Check. Mystifying lanes to exploit? Check. New age cafés to soothe your photographer’s nerve? Check. A must see is ‘The Wishing Chair Café’ that gives you ample of creative freedom to click till you are finally hungover in its sheer charm.
Nearest metro station: Hauz Khas
6. Majnu ka Tila
KIRTI VIRMANI
If you want to go an extra mile and explore a place worth flaunting to your fellow photographer friends, it has to be Majnu ka Tila without any second thoughts. It’s a Tibetan colony in Delhi established way back in 1960s and is a proud forbearer of Tibetan culture. With Gurudwara Shri Majnu ka, a small monastery and Buddhist temple, its cultural amalgamation will leave you awestruck. The story behind its creation is worth falling for. It’s believed to have been immortalized after a Muslim ascetic ‘Majnu’ as a fruit of his long meditation; granted to him by Guru Nanak Dev.
Worth a trip? Totally.
Nearest metro station: Kashmere Gate
7. Delhi Zoo
CHANDANI KHATTAR
Delhi Zoo houses one of the best experiences for all wildlife photography enthusiasts. Playful animals indulging in frivolous fights, love blooming in the air, the lion at his laziest best and the peacock showing off its magnificence; an ever wandering eye does the trick for you here. Make sure you have the right lens or else your visit might turn out to be futile.
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm (Summers)
9:30 am to 5:30 pm (Winters)
Entry fees: Rs.4o for adults
Nearest metro station: Pragati Maidan
Tempted enough already? Grab your DSLR and delve in the ‘Photogenic Delhi’!
