Delhi plans to turn historic sites for weddings, events

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to get married at Ghalib’s Haveli or Dara Shikoh Library at Kashmeri Gate, or even at the Red Fort in Delhi, with an almost royal feel and main character vibe with the most hauntingly beautiful backdrop? In a move that could redefine Delhi’s cultural landscape, the city’s iconic monuments may soon double up as venues for destination weddings, concerts, and global events, as the Rekha Gupta Government is planning to open them to a host of events. Officials say about 80 monuments may be chosen for hosting cultural and private events under a public-private partnership model.

Several monuments under the Delhi Archaeology Department have been shortlisted for the initiative. Mutiny Memorial at Northern Ridge, built in 1863 to commemorate soldiers who died during the Revolt of 1857, the Dara Shikoh Library at Kashmere Gate, once the residence of Mughal prince Dara Shikoh and later a British office, Maqbara Paik near the GTK bus depot, a Mughal-era tomb believed to belong to one of the imperial couriers, are some of these monuments, the official said.

The tomb in Sadhana Enclave, a Lodi-period structure reflecting early Indo-Islamic architecture, and the pavilions at Qudsia Garden, part of an 18th-century palace complex built by Qudsia Begum, wife of Emperor Muhammad Shah, are in the list of places where civilian affairs will be consummated.

Such sites in Vasant Vihar as remains of medieval tombs and walls from the Lodi and Sayyid periods, Ghalib Haveli in Chandni Chowk, the 19th-century residence of celebrated Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib, and the 14th-century Bara Lao ka Gumbad, a domed structure believed to have served as a traveller’s rest house, too, may grace wedding parties. The official said the plan is in its initial stage, and discussions are still underway on implementation and venue selection.

“Extra security measures will be introduced to ensure that heritage structures are not damaged during private or cultural events,” the person said.  “The government is also considering providing relaxation in GST on booking fees for such heritage venues,” he said.

Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra had earlier stated that his department was working on building basic infrastructure and obtaining approvals to make these sites more accessible to the public.

“What could it be if we can execute weddings in heritage moments themselves? Celebrating will be all the merrier,” said a marriage planner. The plan includes introducing a Digital Single Window Clearance System to simplify event permissions, which organizers say are often bogged down in red tape. A one-click permit system is expected to cut weeks off the planning timeline, making Delhi more attractive to international and domestic event planners.