Lodi Gardens

After doing a bit of shopping with a friend in the Tibetan market and going to Gandhi Smriti, which happens to be closed every second Saturday, Doreen and I decided we should take advantage of the relatively clear skies and go take a walk in Lodi Gardens. Created in 1939 by the wife of one of the British viceroys, Lady Willingdon, they are quite a large green space (for being in the center of New Delhi) which is well used by families on nice days. As we walked around there were groups of boys playing cricket, several birthday parties going on, a multitude of picnics and plenty of kids chasing after large balloons. I was thrilled just to find some green space where I wasn't bothered because I was a foreigner, and also fascinated by the Lodi and Mughal remains that are scattered around the park. Right by the entrance we used was the tomb of Sikandar Lodi (1517) who was the second ruler in the Lodi dynasty and reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1489-1517. His tomb was enclosed behind some still standing walls and surrounded by a lovely green space. As we walked a little farther we came across a small turret standing alone which is thought to have been a part of old walls no longer standing. Across from there was a cluster of old ruins. The first we came to was the Sheesh Gumbad, a mosque also dating from the Lodi time period, with blue tile finishing and the tombs of an unknown family inside provided space for children to play. If you looked out the main door you could see the Bada Gumbad which the sign said was also from the Lodi time period and served as a gateway of some sort. This building, perched on top of a built up rock pile, sported more detailed etching than the others. A meander down a few more paths brought us to what I could only consider one of the defining sights in Delhi, that I had seen in pictures but could never place, the tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyid (1445) the last Sultan of the Sayyid dynasty (the dynasty preceding the Lodi dynasty). It is ringed by a row of stick straight trees, an expanse of green and then the hill rises up which holds the tomb. An octagonal shaped tomb it is bounded by an arched walkway and topped by numerous domes. It is a bit inspiring to consider the architecture of past years and just how durable they built their monuments. But mostly it was just nice to be able to take a deep breath and relax in some of Delhi's green space.