Delhi's Historical Monuments Opening for Weddings: A New Chapter for Heritage Tourism

The Delhi government is initiating a groundbreaking plan to open several historical monuments for weddings and cultural events. Various heritage sites under the Delhi Archaeology Department have been identified for this innovative scheme.

According to an official, a new program allowing bookings of selected heritage monuments for matrimonial ceremonies and cultural gatherings is currently being developed.

Among the shortlisted monuments is the Mutiny Memorial at Northern Ridge, constructed in 1863 to honor soldiers who perished during the 1857 Revolt. The historic Dara Shikoh Library at Kashmere Gate, which once served as the residence of Mughal prince Dara Shikoh before becoming a British administrative building, is also included.

The Maqbara Paik near the GTK bus depot, a Mughal-era tomb thought to belong to one of the imperial couriers, has been added to the list as well. Another notable inclusion is the tomb in Sadhana Enclave, a Lodi-period structure showcasing early Indo-Islamic architectural elements.

The elegant pavilions at Qudsia Garden, which form part of an 18th-century palace complex built by Qudsia Begum, wife of Emperor Muhammad Shah, will also be available for these civilian functions.

Additional sites include medieval tomb remains and walls from the Lodi and Sayyid periods in Vasant Vihar, the historic Ghalib Haveli in Chandni Chowk (the 19th-century residence of renowned Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib), and the 14th-century Bara Lao ka Gumbad, a domed structure believed to have functioned as a rest house for travelers.

The official emphasized that the initiative remains in its preliminary stages, with ongoing discussions regarding implementation strategies and final venue selection.

"Enhanced security measures will be implemented to protect these heritage structures from potential damage during private or cultural events," the official stated.

Additionally, the government is exploring the possibility of offering GST relaxations on booking fees for these historical venues.

Approximately 80 monuments may ultimately be selected for hosting cultural and private events under a public-private partnership model.

This vision was previously mentioned by Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, who confirmed that his department is actively working on establishing basic infrastructure and securing necessary approvals to make these historical sites more accessible to the public.