Delhi’s ‘Haunted Walk’ a big success, next trail to explore Feroz Shah Kotla

“We have so far conducted three regular walks, plus one introductory one, and more than 80 tourists have attended the walks. The department is receiving a very good response from both locals and tourists and it is getting more popular than the heritage walks, Atul Pandey, a tourist information officer, said.

The department’s first such walk was launched on May 6, from Malcha Mahal, a 14^th-century hunting lodge. Within a couple of weeks, the walk has become hugely successful with pre-bookings for the next few weeks and queries pouring in.

An official said that three upcoming walks till May 27 are fully booked. “Every walk has a batch of 20 people and the participants are from across age groups – retired officers, industrialists, students, ladies groups, solo women travellers, students etc,” the official said.

Constructed by Ferozshah Tughlaq, the Feroz Shah Kotla is a 14^th-century fortress filled with stories about kings and Djinns. “People still believe good Djinns walk here after sunset and many people tie locks and dhaagas (threads) on the gates and trees here,” an official said.

The new trail will include six batches of 20 members each. People can book their walks at delhitourism.gov.in or the ‘Dekho Meri Dilli’ app. For each walk, visitors will be charged Rs 1,000 per person and this includes the fees for the conductor/guide and a kit. The kit will have a torch, stick, jute bag, cap, badge, band, water bottle, juice, seasonal fruit and a muffin.