Private Hauz Khas Village Tour from Delhi

Start your private half-day tour with hotel pickup in Delhi, followed by a visit to Jagannath Temple at Hauz Khas. Built by the working class Oriya people of Delhi, this modern temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Jagannath, meaning ‘Lord of the World,’ whose replica image is carved from wood.

Upon arrival, your guide takes you on a private tour of the temple, which serves as a cultural and spiritual center for the Oriyas, an ethnic community from Orissa near Bengal. If you’re lucky, you’ll have the opportunity to observe the temple priest offering prayers on behalf of devotees. Hear the ringing of the temple bells and smell the strong fragrance of incense wafting through the air.

After a 10-minute walk with your guide, you’ll find yourself in Hauz Khas Village, a funky enclave of New Delhi that’s comparable to New York’s SoHo neighborhood — filled with edgy art studios, antique shops, cafés and designer boutiques. Explore wherever you’d like, with stops at famous venues such as Books, a bookshop selling antique maps and film posters. Peruse silver jewelry at Ethnic Silver, or search for old textiles, paintings and prints at Cottage of Arts and Jewelry. Another must-see is Lola’s World, a magical shop with lovely items for young children.

Following your exploration of Hauz Khas Village, stop for lunch at a local restaurant featuring south Indian specialties like rasam (spicy tomato soup) with dosas (rice pancakes) or fluffy idlis (steamed rice cakes). When you’ve had your fill, your guide will transport you by private vehicle back to your hotel.