Delhi Tourism Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj inaugurated the 80-day-long ‘Heritage Walk Festival’ at the Mutiny Memorial in Kamla Nehru Ridge on Thursday, celebrating the city’s rich history and culture.
The festival, organised by the Delhi Tourism Department, will run from October 10 to December 31, taking participants to 100 of the city’s most historically significant sites, according to an official statement.
The festival aims to showcase Delhi’s centuries-old heritage, starting with a walk through the Mutiny Memorial, which was built during the 1857 freedom struggle, the statement noted.
Bharadwaj explained that while the memorial was originally meant to honour British officers and their allies, it now symbolizes India’s fight for independence and the resilience of freedom fighters who opposed British rule.
दिल्ली हेरिटेज वॉक फेस्टिवल का शुभारंभ दिल्ली टूरिज्म दिल्ली सरकार द्वारा हुआ !
दिल्ली की समृद्ध विरासत और इतिहास को करीब से जानने का मौका पाएं। इस शानदार यात्रा में शामिल हों और दिल्ली के अनछुए पहलुओं को देखें। #DelhiHeritageWalk #DelhiTourism” pic.twitter.com/XnWYkbP2kQ
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) October 10, 2024
He stressed the importance of introducing Delhi’s lesser-known heritage to the public, particularly the younger generation.
“There are hundreds of historic sites in Delhi that people are unaware of. Our aim is to share this invaluable history and position the city as a global tourist destination,” Bharadwaj said.
The festival will include heritage walks at various locations across the city, highlighting lesser-known sites and their stories, the statement said.
Bharadwaj also mentioned that similar initiatives have been organized periodically by the department and will continue to be a priority in the future.
This initiative not only aims to boost tourism but also to in still a sense of pride and responsibility in preserving Delhi’s legacy for future generations, the statement added.