Located by the banks of River Yamuna resides the Mini-Tibet of Delhi, also known as Majnu ka Tilla. A popular place among college students and tourists mainly because of cheap eateries and garment shops. I fell in love with this place on my first visit back in 2018. Since then, I have lost count of my visits.
The quaint lanes of Majnu ka Tilla give mountain like vibes. The ambience is tranquil, and the air smells incredible around the monastery. Food is one of the major selling points that attract hundreds of people here. However, this place also offers stylish clothes, shoes, ceramic pottery and home decor at a low price. Anytime is a good time to visit this place. Here are a few things that you can do at Majnu ka Tilla.
If you’re more of a visual person and prefer watching over reading, then here’s a video just for you
Eat, eat and eat!
Majnu ka Tilla is filled with eateries selling authentic Tibetan food. From Momos to Laphing to Shabalay, this place won’t disappoint you when it comes to food. Evenings and weekends are busy, and you might face a long queue to get a seat at your desired restaurant. Therefore, I prefer visiting this place in the morning. A few of the best eateries that you can try are:
1. Tee Dee – popular for Tibetan breakfast and my go-to place at Majnu ka Tila. Although the restaurant opens at 9:30 am, they start serving around 11:00 am. Therefore, plan your visit accordingly. Shabalay, Shapta, Tingmo, Momos, Stuffed bread and non-alcoholic Fruit beer are a few of the must-try dishes at Tee Dee.
2. Ama Cafe and restaurant – is another popular place at Majnu ka Tilla serving Italian delicacies and desserts. The three-storeyed restaurant opens at 7 am and remains packed throughout the day. Pancakes, Pasta, Thin-crust Pizza, Tiramisu Cake and Choco Bum, are a few of the most popular dishes here.
3. Rigo Coffee House and Kori – these two restaurants are on my bucket list. Rigo is known for its ambience, music and Banana cake. Kori, on the other hand, is known for serving authentic Korean delicacies and decor.
4. Hawker stations – apart from the restaurants, Majnu ka Tilla has plenty of hawker stations serving lip-smacking Tibetan street food like Thukpa, Laphing and Momos.
Shop until you drop
The alleys of Majnu ka Tilla is home to a plethora of shops selling stylish clothes, accessories, ceramics and home decor. Reasonable price and unique style are what makes them so desirable. Here’s a list of things you can buy at Majnu ka Tilla.
1. Tibetan prayer flag – usually found hanging on the doors and windows of the houses at Majnu ka Tila. It is one of the most popular items sold here. They come in 4 different sizes, and the price varies from 30 INR to 100 INR depending on the dimension. Can be used for decorating homes and vehicles.
Shop: Available at all small vendors or shops.
2. Accessories – quirk up your wardrobe with unique silver jewellery, designer pouches, boho bags, diaries and junk jewellery. Most of the stores have a fixed price. However, you can politely ask for a discount they won’t disappoint you, trust me! The cost varies from 50 INR (jewellery) to 500 INR (bags, diaries, etc.).
Shop: Akama
3. Clothes and shoes – it’s a dream of every human to shop without burning a big hole in their pockets. Majnu ka Tilla is where this dream becomes a reality. From cool summer outfits to stylish winter wear, a one-stop shop for all your fashion needs.
Shop: Monastery Market, 2 Funky
4. Home decor and ceramics – paint your houses in the hues of red, green, blue, yellow and white with the amazing Tibetan decor. Get a wide range of products, from wall hangings to chimes to beautiful ceramic pottery at a reasonable cost.
Shop: Akama
Lose yourself in the divinity
Monastery and Buddhist temple located at the heart of Majnu ka Tilla is where you’ll find peace and tranquillity. You can either make a quick stop on your way to the market or spend hours listening to the beautiful hymns. While you’re here, don’t forget to spin the prayer wheel for good luck!
You can also visit Majnu ka Tilla Gurudwara which is a 5 minutes walk away from this place. It is one of the oldest Sikh shrines in Delhi overlooking the flood plains of River Yamuna and Signature bridge.
How to reach Majnu ka Tilla?
Metro or taxi is the best means to reach this place. Board the yellow line and get down at Vidhan Sabha Metro Station. Take an e-rickshaw that will drop you to the foot over bridge of Aruna Nagar. Cross the bridge and spot a yellow gate which is the main entrance of the Tibetan Refugee Colony. If you are coming by car, then park on the ground next to the Gurudwara and walk up to the gate.
8 Comments
That’s a lovely area.
I wish I could have some momos, now. 🙂
Tibetan stores are so attractive. Who doesn’t like trinket-shopping there, no?! 😁
I wish that too! 😓 and indeed the stores are amazing, just can’t get enough of them 😁
Though I lived in Delhi for a decade and a half, never managed to reach this place. You have made it appear quite a desirable place.
Glad you liked it, let me know your thoughts on your visit to MKT! 😁
So interesting. I have been here many many years ago, it has been originally called Majnu Da Tilla (in local Punjabi), which over a period of time got appropriated to a more Hindi ‘Majnu Ka Tilla’.
Tilla is Punjabi for a small hillock, more an earthy mound. The story goes a mystic Sufi Saint, Abdulla, locally known as Majnu, would ferry people across the Yamuna for free as his service to God. Guru Nanak met him here and both had developed an intense bond. In remembrance, the Gurudwara Majnu Da Tilla was built here (around 1783) with land donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
The British later use this place to settle workers working on the Central Secratariat Buildings.
The Tibetan Refugees were settled here around 1960s.
The food, as you mention tastes extremely authentic (to a person who has never eaten Tibetan food in Tibet)…
I’m so glad that you found this article interesting 🙂
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