Lodhi Rd, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003, India
Delhi’s plentiful parks provide a refreshing respite from the bustling city, and Lodhi Garden is the most extensive among them. This vast 90-acre expanse is peppered with various historical monuments from the 14th-century Tughlaq dynasty, which ruled the pre-Mughal Delhi Sultanate, up to the 16th-century Mughal period. This makes it a desirable spot for sightseeing as well as relaxing. Plan your visit with this complete guide to Lodhi Garden.
History
The British developed Lodhi Garden in 1936 as a landscaped setting for the monuments, surrounding a village called Khairpur. Lady Willingdon, wife of the then Governor-General of India, Marquess of Willingdon, designed the garden. It was initially called Lady Willingdon Park in her honor; however, the Indian government aptly renamed it Lodhi Garden following independence in 1947. The name reflects the garden’s prominent monuments from the Lodhi dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
Lodhi Garden underwent a major makeover in 1968, directed by American landscape architect Garrett Eckbo and acclaimed architect Joseph Allen Stein, who also designed many iconic landmark buildings nearby. Their renovations included adding a glass house for plant cultivation and a lake with a fountain. Other specialized sections, such as a bonsai park and rose garden, were later created in the garden.
A mysterious turret is regarded as the garden’s oldest structure; although not much is known about it, historians speculate it might be part of a fortified wall belonging to the Tughlaq dynasty (1320 to 1413). Unfortunately, the wall no longer exists.
Most of the monuments in Lodhi Garden date back to the succeeding Sayyid and Lodi dynasties when the area served as their royal burial ground in the 15th and 16th centuries. The earliest of its tombs belongs to Sultan Muhammad Shah Sayyid, the third ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, who reigned from 1434 until his death in 1444. His son, Alauddin Alam Shah Sayyid, built the tomb in 1444, which remains the dynasty’s only legacy in the garden.
Shortly after Muhammad Shah Sayyid’s death, the Lodhi dynasty gained control of the Delhi Sultanate in 1451, with founder Bahlul Lodhi easily displacing the ineffective Sayyid king. It was during the reign of his son Sikander Lodhi, from 1489 to 1517, that the garden’s most prominent monuments were constructed, including the Bara Gumbad complex, Sheesh Gumbad, and Sikandar Lodhi’s tomb.
The Lodhi dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate came to an end in 1526 when invading Emperor Babur defeated Sikander Lodhi’s son Ibrahim during the First Battle of Panipat, establishing Mughal rule in India.
The new Mughal emperors left less of an impression on Lodhi Garden, filling other locations with grand tombs. However, the garden does have a rare surviving structure from the golden age of the Mughal Empire, made during Emperor Akbar’s reign (1556 to 1605). This sturdy arched stone bridge, named Athpula because of its eight pillars, was constructed across a tributary of the Yamuna River (currently a lake).
Restoration of the monuments in Lodhi Garden has been ongoing for over a decade and is currently being carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.
How to Get There
Lodhi Garden is strategically located between Safdurjung’s Tomb and Khan Market in southern New Delhi, bordering Lodhi Estate. By road, it can be reached in approximately 20 minutes from Connaught Place in New Delhi. For those without a personal vehicle, auto rickshaws and app-based cab services like Uber are widely available. Alternatively, you may choose to take the Delhi Metro Train.
The garden’s main entrance, known as Gate 1 or Ashoka Gate, is situated on Lodhi Road, offering free parking and toilet facilities. The closest Metro train station to this entrance is Jor Bagh on the Yellow Line, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Several Delhi Transport Corporation buses also stop right at this entrance.
Lodhi Garden has another entrance (Gate 4) on the Khan Market side, roughly a 15-minute walk from the Khan Market Metro Station on the Violet Line. A number of smaller entrance gates are also located around the garden’s periphery.
Entry to Lodhi Garden is complimentary, and it is open daily from sunrise (5 a.m. or 6 a.m. depending on the time of the year) until sunset at around 8 p.m. If you seek serenity, it’s advisable to avoid Sundays, as locals flock there to hang out, resulting in substantial crowds.
What to See and Do There
Health-conscious residents start their day early at Lodhi Garden, engaging in activities such as yoga, jogging, and cycling. For those interested in participating in yoga, comprehensive two-hour morning classes are conducted by Vidhi of Awaken Inner Buddha Yoga and Meditation.
However, the monuments are the primary attraction in the garden. If historical exploration piques your interest, consider a guided walking tour. One exceptional option is the Legacy of Sayyids and Lodhis tour offered by Delhi Walks, along with periodic group walking tours conducted by Delhi Heritage Walks.
Upon entering Lodhi Garden from the main gate and turning left, you’ll come across the tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyid. It features an octagonal design and elegant Indo-Islamic architecture, with small Hindu-style chhatris (dome canopied pavilions) surrounding its distinctive central dome. Other graves inside the tomb presumably belong to family members.
Retracing along the path, a small 18th-century mosque awaits between Muhammad Shah Sayyid’s tomb and the Bada Gumbad complex. This complex, which sits on a raised platform, is among the largest and finest Lodhi-era monuments in Delhi. Its imposing domed principal structure is believed to have served as a gateway to the adjacent mosque, constructed in 1494, as it lacks a grave. Look closely to admire the intricate decorative detail on both buildings, including a minaret that resembles Qutub Minar in Delhi. Adjacent to the mosque is an arched pavilion that served as a guesthouse known as Mehman Khana.
You’ll see Sheesh Gumbad facing the Bada Gumbad complex. This building houses a number of unidentified graves, with historians suggesting it could belong to Lodhi dynasty founder Bahlul Lodhi, who died in 1489. The glazed blue tiles adorning much of its exterior, including the dome, are a notable highlight.
Sikandar Lodhi’s tomb, located to the north of Sheesh Gumbad, may not be impressive in comparison to the others. In fact, its appearance closely resembles that of Muhammad Shah Sayyid, except for the absence of chhatris on the roof. Nonetheless, it is surrounded by a protective wall featuring an elaborate gateway.
To the right of Lodhi’s tomb is a lake with the Mughal-era Athpula extending partly across it. Exiting from this end of Lodhi Garden, near Khan Market, you can spot an old wrought-iron gate that opens onto Rajesh Pilot Marg. Its stone pillars hold historic inscriptions from the garden’s inauguration, stating “The Lady Willingdon Park” and “9th April, 1936.”
Several minor monuments reside near entrance Gate 3 on the western side of the garden. The turret lies on one side, while the ruins of a late Mughal-era wall gateway and a small mosque can be found on the other.
In addition to its monuments, Lodhi Garden shelters numerous attractions for nature lovers. These include the National Bonsai Park near Gate 1, a glasshouse adjacent to Muhammad Shah Sayyid’s tomb, a butterfly park and herb garden around the mosque area, a rose garden situated near the wall gateway and mosque, and a duck pond on the lake. Furthermore, Lodhi Garden is home to nearly 30 species of birds.
For those keen on learning more about the trees in Lodhi Garden, a Quick Response (QR) Code is available on many of them for you to scan using your smartphone.
What to Do Nearby
Feeling hungry? Enjoy a meal at Lodi – The Garden Restaurant adjoining Gate 1. This establishment serves eclectic global cuisine within its atmospheric garden. Additionally, plenty of other delightful dining options await in the neighboring Lodhi Colony and Nizamuddin areas, as well as the trendy Khan Market.
Lodhi Colony is renowned for its vibrant street art murals featured on buildings between Khanna Market and Meher Chand Market. For handicraft enthusiasts, the boutiques in Mehar Chand Market offer plenty of choices.
If tombs capture your interest, you can also visit Safdarjung Tomb, Humayun’s Tomb, the Tomb of Najaf Khan (a chief commander of the Mughal army), and Nizamuddin Dargah, all situated nearby. Additionally, several lesser-known Mughal-era tombs are located in the Lal Bangla complex, nestled between the Delhi Golf Club and Oberoi Hotel.
Culture aficionados should consider visiting the India Habitat Center on Lodhi Road next to Lodhi Garden. The center features a visual arts gallery, exhibitions, and a variety of cultural events. Additionally, Tibet House is recommended for those interested in Tibetan culture, offering a museum, library, resource center, gallery, and bookshop, established by the Dalai Lama in 1965.
