Imagine stepping into your favorite novel, walking alongside its characters, and asking them about their choices in the climactic chapter. For the National Capital Region's book community, literary crawls offer exactly that. These events bring readers together by visiting spaces that mirror the settings of books—haunted monuments for horror fans, coquette-themed cafes for rom-com lovers, and the historic lanes of Old Delhi for history enthusiasts.
Unlearning and Unraveling Literary History
Molina Singh, co-founder of Delhi Reads, which hosted its Old Delhi literary crawl 'Dilli Dallying' in March, explains the origin of the idea. 'As a book club, we are often confined to four walls. This idea came from the realization that if we want Delhi's people to truly absorb its literature, we need to meet the city where it is, especially a place layered with dynasties and rich literary lore.' She adds that literature often felt Westernized, shaped by names like Dickens and Jane Austen. 'This initiative is about undoing that and exploring the city through its own literary movements and milestones.'
An Extension of How People Want to Experience Stories
Books have moved into social spaces, and communities have taken notice. Vesmir, 23, founder of Tangerine Book and Poetry Circle, says, 'We try different formats, locations, and experiences every month. But it never feels disconnected, because everything is still rooted in literature.' Nidhi Gupta, director of Crossword Bookstores, which hosts regular literary events, adds, 'Literary crawls are a natural extension of how people want to experience stories today: they want to step into them. It is powerful seeing a place you have read about or imagining a story unfolding in a real setting. It makes the narrative more tangible.'
Literary Crawls Through Heritage
Sneha Misran's community, Kitaab Club, recently made a spontaneous plan to visit Mehrauli's haunted monuments while reading 'Ghosted' by Eric Chopra. 'People were so excited because of the book that we all got together and read it at the locations. It was super exciting to witness. These were places like Jamali-Kamali in Delhi and Khuni Darwaza—the haunted spots the book described,' she says, adding that it was a more immersive experience than reading. 'With the city's location in the backdrop, the book becomes the centerpiece of the whole experience.'
Readers Reimagine Their Favorites
Ask readers about the spaces around them, and they can name the books already. Anigrah Peer, 22, a sociology student, shares, 'I can imagine Kashmere Gate and the lanes of Old Delhi as described in 'In Custody' by Kiran Desai. I also think of Khwabgah from 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness' by Arundhati Roy. It reminds me how, like Delhi, I sometimes feel a thousand years old, coming of age yet again.' Arushi Rawat, 25, an editorial project manager, compares the activity to pub crawls. 'Similar to pub crawls, literary crawls involve a group of readers either bookshop hopping in Khan Market or visiting multiple pubs on a weekend with their own perspectives on a book.' As readers seek experiences beyond conventional discussions, these crawls offer something more immersive—rooted in place, history, and movement.
