6 Things to do at Lodhi Garden – New Delhi, India
When I lived in New Delhi, India, we were fortunate to live very close to Lodhi Garden, a gigantic park with landscaped gardens, ruins and ancient tombs. Lodhi Garden is a beautiful place to get away from the craziness that is Delhi — and you truly do feel like you’re somewhere else! You’re still in Delhi, but you can’t hear any of the honking or overall cacophony of the city! If you’re visiting Delhi and looking for a place to relax, go for a stroll, or even do some photography, I highly suggest a visit to Lodhi Garden. In this guide, I’ll give you 6 things to do at Lodhi Garden as well as everything you need to know about visiting Lodhi Garden before you go.
I’ve seen Lodi Garden written both “Lodi Garden” and “Lodhi Garden.” I do not know which way is correct. I’ll switch between both in this article.
Lodhi Garden – Practical Information
Admission: Free
Hours of operation: 24/7
Location: Lodi Garden is located in South Delhi. You can reach Lodi Garden by Uber or any auto rickshaw driver will be able to take you there.
Known scams: There is a photography scam here, a ‘security guard’ may ask for money if they see your camera. This is a scam — tell them no! There is no charge for anything at Lodi Garden, and you can take all the photos you want! Just walk away.
How long do I need to visit Lodhi Garden?
You can stay for as little as 20 minutes or spend 4 hours here. It really depends on how much exploring you want to do. There’s a lot to see — every time I visited Lodhi Garden, I found something new. You could walk around the whole park from one end to the other in about 15-20 minutes, but that’s without taking time to explore any of the tombs or gardens.
Things to do at Lohdi Garden in New Delhi India
1. Visit the Historical Monuments and Tombs at Lodhi Garden
Lodhi Garden has several architectural sites from the 15th and 16th centuries, back when the Lodhi dynasty ruled parts of northern India. These monuments and tombs are scattered all over the park, so you’ll just have to walk around and explore. All of these are free to enter and are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
These include the following:
Bara Gumbad:
A grand dome that stands adjacent to a mosque, with intricate carvings and calligraphy.
Sheesh Gumbad Tomb:
Named after the glazed tiles that once decorated its exterior, this tomb is known for its blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. This tomb is located in the center of the park.
Tomb of Sikandar Lodhi:
Sikandar Lodhi was a ruler of the Lodi Dynasty. This is a walled tomb, at the center of the garden.
Mohammed Shah’s Tomb:
The oldest tomb in the garden, this tomb has a unique octagonal design.
2. Enjoy the Flora and Fauna
You won’t just find ancient tombs here! Lodhi Garden is also a beautiful, landscaped green space, home to a variety of trees, plants, and birds. All around Lodi Garden, you’ll find walking and jogging paths, ponds, and flower beds. If you like bird watching, you can spot species like kingfishers, parakeets, and mynas.
3. Photography at Lodi Gardens
Lodhi Gardens was the first ‘tourist attraction’ I saw when I moved to Delhi. It was the day after I arrived and I was extremely jet lagged, but forced myself to go do something. Since Lodhi Gardens was right near where we lived, we headed over here, and I perked right up — there are endless photography spots here, not to mention all the interesting birds you see. For the best light, as usual, visit during early morning or at sunset.
4. Things to Do at Lodi Gardens – Get Some Exercise!
Lodi Gardens is a popular spot for locals to get some exercise – you’ll find dedicated jogging trails, walking paths as well as tons of green space where you can practice yoga.
5. Visit the Glass House
There is a small greenhouse-style structure in Lodi Garden that you can check out — this glass house has some pretty indoor plants and garden inside.
6. Have a picnic lunch
Lodhi Garden has a ton of green space, and you’ll spot a lot of locals enjoying picnics here. If you don’t have any food, there is no food served in the park itself, but you’ll find some ice cream vendors hanging outside the park gates.
What else is near Lodhi Garden?
Two places of interest near Lohdi Garden that you might want to visit are:
Khan Market: This is a quieter market that’s popular with expats. You’ll find lots of good restaurants and cafes here — especially if you’re looking for more western food (La Vie Pizzeria has delicious wood-fired pizza). as well as some shopping. My favorite store in India — Fab India — has a store here. This is about a 10 minute walk from Lodi Garden.
Safdarjung‘s Tomb: A beautiful lesser-known tomb within easy walking distance of Lodi Gardens, with beautiful Mughal architecture to admire, surrounded by gardens. And the best part? It’s never crowded.
Other things to do in Delhi:
How to visit Qutub Minar – New Delhi India
Itinerary for One Amazing Day in New Delhi India
