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India’s cities are treasure troves bursting at the seam with exciting experiences for those who’re not afraid of getting their hands and feet dirty to dig into the proverbial heap of hidden gems, local favorites, and little-known spots. While the most famous sites in a city have earned the distinction of being tourist attractions and are worth visiting, it’s the hidden allys, and nooks and crannies, that best serve the purpose of truly feeling the vibe of a place.
India’s vast cultural heritage cannot be overlooked when trying to explore it’s cities and towns, the historical significance inherently tied with modern day art and culture, and in most places, the past and present co-existing to create a chaotic, but absolutely mesmerizing, web of stories of people and their surroundings growing and constantly changing with time.
Make no mistake, these walks aren’t just for the uninitiated. Even locals that have lived there all their lives will find something new every time they pry themselves away from the drag of daily routine and choose to spend an afternoon, or an evening, walking around the place they call home. Cities are bustling, breathing creatures that are constantly evolving, each with a unique cultural identity. Find yourself living your best travel life while making your way through the streets, both with tourists and locals alike, and find yourself travelling back in time to some of the most extraordinary instances in History, preserved and treasured in the form of a heritage site, a cafe, or even a tea stall. Below is a list, in no way exhaustive, of some of the best Heritage walks and runs across the country.
As with most places, there’s a certain connotation attached with Bandra. A preconceived notion of all things hipster, of quaint winding cobblestone streets lined with cool spaces and filled with cooler people. While not entirely untrue, it is a very myopic view of Mumbai’s oldest suburb, a site of many historic milestones. The walk starts at Land’s end, the south western point of Bandra with expansive views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. You’ll then make your way to the ruins of the 17th century Castella de Aguada, better known as Bandra Fort. As the walk progresses, you’re sure to find yourself in a space caught between time as you bear witness to the burgeoning modern takeover of Bandra, even as signs of a time gone by are hidden in plain sight. Bandra’s Portuguese heritage, along with the East India Company’s influences, and all the way back to when this cool suburb was little more than a cluster of 24 small villages occupied by simple fisherman, east Indians, Christians, Muslims, and Hindu Kolis, the cultural subtext is rooted deep in the architectural styles of old houses and heritage sites.
Cost: ₹699 per person
Duration: 2.5 Hours (8 am to 10:30 am)
Location: Bandra West, Mumbai
Malgudi days. Just the name brings back flashes of languid summer afternoons spent in a lazy haze of contentment characteristic of a carefree childhood, especially when viewed in rosy retrospection. Of course, the actual town of Malgudi is fictitious but is loosely based on the actual town of Mysore, with R.K. Narayan taking some major inspiration from real life buildings, statues, and spaces. Take a walk in this surreal world where fiction meets reality, and spend a day reliving the adventures of your youth. Witness the town through the eyes of Narayan for a rich cultural and literary experience.
When: Every Saturday at 2 pm
Duration: 2.5-3 Hrs
Cost: ₹1499/person (₹899 for children from 8-15)
This one’s for the brave amongst us, the more resilient, and definitely the more adventurous! Rumor has it, if you make your way down to the western coast of Mumbai, you’re likely to run into some unexplainably creepy sights. In days long past gone, contrary to today, the eastern part of Mumbai was more inhabited due to the influx of people journeying in from Central India. As a result, the perfunctory Western coast was often used as a cemetery. As the city grew and the Western side became more and more developed, a residential community called Girgaon was established on these ancient burial grounds. Get your haunt on as you prepare to take a walk through the city of the dead, and witness how the living cohabit with their resident neighborhood ghosts. The walk culminates in a graveyard at Midnight, taking the spookiness to a whole new level. The guide will narrate ghost stories related to each particular area as you make your precarious way through it. A chawl full of ghosts, a grave that likes butter offerings, a ‘good guy’ ghost that protects your from the worse of his type, and a curiously named ‘ass’ curse, all ensure that you won’t be disappointed. They recommend you hold on to your belongings, along with your heart, for a wild ride through dark alleys, twisting and turning all the way to ghost town.
Cost: ₹799 per person
Duration: 3 Hours (9 pm to 12 am)
Location: Girgaon, Mumbai
Most of us know Ooty as a scenic hill station you would often daydream about while stuck in the sweltering summer heat of the city. While it definitely is that, Ooty is also home to over 35 heritage sites, including the Nilgiri Mountain Railway - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s over a 100 years old. The Nilgiri Mountain range offers extraordinary views of the valleys and surrounding hills. There is also accomodation available for those that opt for it - in a campsite on Fern Hill, a picturesque location that renders ample opportunities to bond with fellow travellers. The UNESCO Go Heritage Runs are known for their excellent routes along various points of cultural significance, including the Nilgiri mountain railways, while keeping the sense of adventure alive and well.
Date: Sunday June 3, 2018
Venue: Top Flats, Lawrence School, Lovedale
Cost: Starting from ₹673 per person
Bazar Gate is a historically significant stretch of land in South Bombay. Situated between the predominantly white Fort area and the Indian inhabited city beyond the Fort walls, it is arguably one of the most iconic areas with a number of cultural landmarks including the notoriously popular Crawford Market, the former residence of Mumbai’s old Governor Lord Harris, a cricket fanatic who helped make the sport a part of India’s history, and of course, Rudyard Kipling’s childhood home. Join the team of Khaki Tours as they take you back in time in the heart of Mumbai’s cultural revolution, with regular trivia to keep you entertained.
Location: CST Station
Duration: 2.5 hours
In this offbeat heritage walk through the chaotic neighbourhood of Mylapore in Chennai, you will be transported to a time and age when there was a thin line between myth and reality. When people believed in ancient stories of good triumphing over evil, when Gods and demons were just teetering on the edge ready to spill over and take the living world by storm. Moreover, Mylapore is one of Chennai’s oldest neighbourhood responsible for much of the art and culture evolution the city is known for. A very interesting part of this walk is deciphering hidden symbolism strewn throughout the area. With the deeply historical environment, your tour guide is more of a storyteller who weaves a complex magical realist tale as he walks you through the 3 hour otherworldly tour of Mylapore. As to why it’s called the ‘peacock’ tour, you’ll just have to take the walk to know!
Location: Mylapore
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: ₹1400 onwards
