Lodhi Garden is a historical park in New Delhi, India, that contains several monuments from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is a popular spot for morning walks, picnics and sightseeing. Here are some information about Lodhi Garden that you might find useful:
Lodhi Garden is a city park situated on the main Lodi Road between Khan Market and Safdarjung’s Tomb. It covers an area of 90 acres (360,000 m2) and has well-maintained lawns, trees, flowers and ponds. It also has a variety of birds and butterflies that add to its beauty.
Lodhi Garden is open every day from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm (April-September) and from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm (October-March).
How to get: The nearest metro stations to Lodhi Garden are Jorbagh and JLN. You can also take a bus, auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach the park.
What to see at the Lodhi Garden:
Lodhi Garden has several historical monuments that belong to the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, who ruled parts of northern India and Pakistan from 1451 to 1526. Some of the notable structures are:
- Mohammed Shah’s Tomb: The earliest and most prominent tomb in the park, built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to Mohammed Shah, the third ruler of the Sayyid dynasty. It is an octagonal structure with a central dome surrounded by ornamental chhatris (canopies) and verandahs.
- Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb: The tomb of Sikandar Lodi, the second ruler of the Lodi dynasty, built in 1517 by his son Ibrahim Lodi. It is a square structure with a large dome and battlements. It is surrounded by a garden with pathways and water channels.
- Bara Gumbad: A large dome-shaped structure that was built in 1494 during the reign of Sikandar Lodi. It is not a tomb but a gateway to an attached mosque or a walled enclosure. The mosque has three domes and a courtyard with a water tank.
- Shisha Gumbad: A dome-shaped structure that was built around the same time as Bara Gumbad. It is named after the glazed tiles that adorn its exterior. It contains some unidentified graves that may belong to an unknown family of Sikandar Lodi’s court or Bahlul Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty.
- Athpula Bridge: A bridge with seven arches that was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It spans over a stream that may have once flowed to the Yamuna River.
There are no guided tours available at Lodhi Garden, but you can explore the park on your own or with a map. You can also download an audio guide app on your smartphone that provides information about the monuments and history of the park.
Some tips for visiting Lodhi Garden are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as you will have to walk a lot.
- Carry water bottles and snacks as there are no food stalls or vendors inside the park.
- Avoid littering and respect the heritage and nature of the park.
- Be careful of monkeys and stray dogs that may roam around the park.
- Enjoy the serene and scenic atmosphere of the park.
Some things that are prohibited at Lodhi Garden are:
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Playing loud music or creating noise
- Plucking flowers or damaging plants
- Climbing on monuments or walls
- Feeding animals or birds
