For years now the Crafts Bazaar near Old Fort and Dilli Haat near AIIMS in Delhi have been the go-to artisanal hubs for tourists—and locals as well.

Now there’s a new kid on the block shaking up the city’s cultural landscape in the nicest way. We are talking here about ‘The Kunj in New Delhi’, which is a wonderful initiative by the Ministry of Textiles. Commonly referred to as The Kunj, it is located at Nelson Mandela Marg, near Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj. Standing cheek- by- jowl with DLF Emporio— the honeypot for the city’s swish set, The Kunj has registered a healthy footfall since it was launched in August 2025.

Drenched in the quietude of this new retail and cultural complex, the vibrancy and drama of the stunning display of Indian textiles, artworks and handicrafts of India’s first flagship craft and cultural hub will blow you away. Here artisanal beauty and time-worn skills are richly intertwined with the narrative of India’s crafting traditions which defy time and space. From the villages of India to the glitzy spaces of urbania, India’s artisanal spirit has taken wing to create its magic amongst culture aficionados in the four corners of the globe.

Conceived and developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and positioned as a first-of-its-kind initiative to celebrate India’s rich heritage of handicrafts and handlooms, The Kunj serves as a world-class platform for visibility, innovation, and fair trade. The initiative is designed to empower artisans, expand market access, and reimagine the craft sector through a design-led and experiential approach. Over 30 leading craft organisations, designer collaborations, and community-led enterprises have come together to create this unique space in the national capital. The Kunj is a full-blown showcase of India’s creative energy.

The magic of its aesthetics and architectural skills is underpinned by the beautiful interiors, an amalgamation of both artistry and practical purpose— from the richly carved wooden pillars, balconies with traditional jaali work and a painterly ceiling prettied up with a floral stained-glass.

Your first engagement is with Illuminated India, illustrated by an array of traditional lamps. Perched on shelves against a green background these represent India’s diverse lamp traditions, be it the clay diyas from Rajasthan or temple deepams of Tamil Nadu.

The Karigar Sangam Hall, conceptualized as a confluence (sangam), of craft, culture, and continuity, is a salute to Shilp (craft) Gurus (masters) and National Awardees; this hall features a curated artisan-led exhibition featuring over 100 handcrafted pieces. 

The walls of Karigar Sangam Hall are embellished with a line-up of framed artworks. Other allurements are a range of exquisite artefacts, both utilitarian and decorative in purpose. From sandalwood jewellery boxes to teakwood surahis, from silver filigree-rendered peepal leaves to a Ganesh carved out of sholapeeth… one can even place orders on site.

Experience the exquisite artistry of Odisha with a Tussar silk masterpiece, featuring Lord Vishnu and his ten avatars. Celebrate the vibrant festival of Poush Parbon with a celestial Pattachitra painting from West Bengal. Marvel at the beauty of a Channapatna toy-style artwork, depicting a traditional village scene from Karnataka. It is a lovely homage to eco-friendly craftsmanship in the southern state. Discover the 64 traditional arts crafted with natural dyes with another Pattachitra piece, this time from Odisha.  An exquisite Pichwai painting from Nathdwara celebrates divine love through stunning gold and silver detailing, highlighting Shri Krishna' s alluring charm for countless devotees.

An unmissable experience is the gorgeous installation woven from 100 sarees. Suspended from the beautiful atrium are Banarasis and Paithanis, Ikats and Kanjeevarams et al, serving as an indelible memory of India’s incredible textile legacy and the weaves that bind the nation together since ancient times.

The brand “Memeraki”- Folk Art Map of India” is building India’s first culture-tech platform, harnessing the power of technology to energise and expand the artisan creator economy. Its ambition is to digitise every heritage art and craft across the country while aiming to create sustainable livelihoods for artisans and attempting to unlock creative human potential on a global scale. Working with 500+ master artisans from across the country, MeMeraki curates the largest online collection of traditional artworks with more than 10,000+ listings.

Haath Ka Bana is India’s leading social enterprise with a mission to Preserve – Promote – Empower. At its heart is a journey from India to the world — bringing the country’s rich heritage of folk art and craftsmanship to a global stage. Through direct and dignified partnerships with artisan families, Haath Ka Bana creates sustainable livelihoods while ensuring that every handcrafted piece carries forward stories of tradition, resilience, and artistry.

Vriksh, the clothing label by National Award-winning textile designer Gunjan Jain offers contemporary ikat and tussar silk saris and kimono-style jackets. Jewellery brand Runway Nagaland showcases necklaces and fringe earrings inspired by traditional Naga ornaments. Bhavya Goenka of Iro Iro and Pratyush Kumar of Pieux are popular labels with a shared goal of refashioning waste as cool, contemporary styles. Shrujan brings to The Kunj the iconic Kutchi embroidery-embellished clothing.

Khel Ghar offers a window to traditional Indian games as learning. “Khol Khel” is an effort to revive traditional toys and games such as Chaturang and Shatranj.

The success of The Kunj will surely serve as an exemplar for more such initiatives across the country and reaffirm India’s stature as a global hub for traditional knowledge systems and handmade excellence.

A holistic experience of India’s astonishing creative spirit awaits you at The Kunj, which has gathered curated design-led retail outlets, exhibitions, live craft demonstrations, interactive craft workshops, culinary experiences, and cultural performances.

When you are next in Delhi, do come and discover this bridge which connects tradition and the individual talent with modern markets, engages diverse audiences worldwide and positions Indian crafts prominently on the global stage of cultural splendour.