Travel Back in Time at Golden Haveli
A Heritage Hotel in the Heart of Old Delhi
Golden Haveli is a tiny oasis of culture and history located in the historic city of Shahjahanabad. In the heart of Delhi, 50 metres from Haveli Dharampura, the property boasts a carefully restored haveli, a traditional manor house, that reflects the essence of Mughal grandeur and regal splendour.
The property is best suited for travellers looking for a quaint holiday with a historical touch. Here, immerse yourself in the art and culture of a bygone era and enjoy food that changed the city's landscape by unearthing micro hyper-local experiences.
Unique Activities
Take Part in the Battle of the Kites
Kite flying or ‘patangbaazi’ is an old tradition that links to the bylanes of historic Mughal cities. Many argue that the activity’s significance to Old Delhi has courtly origins—-as women would tie a pouch of coins to their kites, and other kite fliers would try to cut the flying reward with their paper masterpieces. However, it has long evolved into a common leisure activity shared by the local community, where children and adults both battle their colourful kites from their havelis and terraces.
Curators of Haveli Dharampur offer a glimpse into the community’s archival pastime, extending an evening filled with lessons on kite-flying techniques and a chance to battle on windy days.
Discover the Folk Sport of Pigeon Flying
Another popular rooftop sport in this neighbourhood is pigeon flying. It is common to see flocks of 50 pigeons soaring in a synchronised formation.
The Mughal city’s Kabootarbaz or pigeon-keepers historically trained the avian inhabitants as quaint messengers and game racers. Though the craft has lost much of its significance, it is not uncommon to see modern-day artists keeping the practice alive by training their flocks to soar through the skies in clusters with just a simple whistle, stick and a bag of seeds.
For those interested in witnessing the folk sport in action, the Haveli keepers curate a unique experience, narrate lessons of history and offer amusing sightings of pigeons in training over high tea.
Lodging
Relax in Regal Charm
The haveli offers 14 rooms, taking inspiration from centuries of Hindu, Mughal, Jain and Rajasthani architecture. The Jahan Ara rooms, named after Shahjahan’s daughter, exude a regal charm, with art and embellishments that provide a comfortable space for contemporary travellers.
The Mumtaz Mahal suites, on the other hand, recall the glory of Chandni Chowk’s luxurious bylanes. Here, antique furnishings and fine woodwork draw attention to the city’s craftsmanship.
The Gandhi Suites are curated with the leader’s minimalistic outlook. Each boarding option presents a key element that has defined Shahjahanabad’s history.
Dining
Enjoy a Grand Mughal Feast
Head to Lakhori, the Haveli’s on-premise restaurant to treat yourself to Delhi-6’s flavourful heritage. Expect to find an assortment of Old Delhi’s tangy and crispy street food dishes or heritage Mughlai dishes like fragrant shorbas, melt-in-your-mouth gilauti kebabs or heavenly biryanis to feast like a royal.
The kitchen also extends a creative spin for your evening tipples, blending local flavours of rose, honey, saffron and even coriander into delightful cocktails.
However, an experience at Lakhori satiates your eyes as much as your palate. On the terrace, open fountains and water-focused design recall a vibrant history, while contrasting skies and walls add to the luxurious ambience.
Sustainability Story
The six-year-long restoration project of the 1887-constructed haveli kick-started by carefully mixing traditional ways of construction with modern knowledge to preserve its architectural heritage.
Its restorative ideologies centred around protecting its historic fabric — be it archaeological deposits or old furniture and antiques. So, unsurprisingly, traditional methods of indenting were used for repairs, replacing damaged stones or refitting undamaged stones into their original location.
The project involved re-plastering, reconstruction of a collapsed floor, cleaning pipes and wires and careful interior work to restore the property’s original character. Today the restored Haveli stands tall, offering promise for thousands of other forgotten structures of Shahjahanabad.
Discover More Immersive Experiences at Golden Haveli
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