Majnu Ka tilla (popularly known as MKT) is a tiny neighborhood in north Delhi, but the minute you enter it, you're in a completely different world.
A fine Buddhist-style gate stands amid grey, three-storey structures, packed close together. Tall buildings on either side make the narrow alley so dark it's as if the sun's rays never makes it here. I feel I've stepped into a different world, far removed from the chaos of urban Delhi.
The people have been living here since 1960 and they speak in Tibetan as well as Hindi.
Shops on either side sell only exotic Tibetan jewellery, Buddhist artifacts and crockery, only. Ahead, the alley opens into a bright courtyard facing the monastery. Old ladies sit in the sun, making fresh momos and lempings and pancakes rolled with chilli paste.
The winding alleys, cool breeze blowing in your face, faint echoes of Dalai Lama's preachings, graceful Tibetan ladies in their traditional attire selling momos in the courtyard, vibrant colours, unusual smells, the serene soft music made by the prayer bells, it all comes across as a smaller, condensed version of Dharamsala. While it may be a world not many will relate to, it does not fail to enchant!
As you carry on ahead, you see that the place is filled with cafés and restaurants and travel agencies. MKT is nothing like being in the heart of Delhi at all. Even the kind of music that played in the eateries here is different.
I saw a few kids playing on the alleys with beyblades, it brought back memories of my childhood. The restaurants and cafes serve excellent authentic tibetan food and a meal for four would only cost around 600 rupees. Apple beer(non-alcoholic) is very famous here.
You will see a lot of posters saying 'free Tibet'. I eventually found a shop that sold badges with 'free Tibet' written on them.
This place is perfect if you want to get out of Delhi's chaos and indulge yourselves in a bit of Tibetan culture.
How to get there | Take the Metro {yellow line} up to Vidhan Sabha, and a rickshaw from there.