New Delhi, April 9 With centuries-old tombs and a diverse range of plants and bird species, Delhi's iconic Lodhi Garden, often described as "Asia's best urban oasis," celebrated its 90th anniversary on Thursday.
Located in the heart of the national capital, bordering the upscale Lodhi Estate and Khan Market, the garden was opened on April 9, 1936, as "The Lady Willingdon Park," named after the then Viceroy of India.
Serving as a green space of approximately 90 acres, the garden is a popular destination for morning and evening walks, jogging, and those seeking quiet moments away from the city's hustle and bustle.
The garden was created after relocating the village of Khairpur, on the outskirts of New Delhi.
In 1911, the British announced the shift of the imperial capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi, and a new capital city – later named New Delhi – was established, formally inaugurated on February 13, 1931, by then-Viceroy Lord Irwin.
The garden, with its rich flora and fauna, is also a favorite among both domestic and international visitors.
Besides, visitors can find various monuments, plants, and trees, including neem, jamun, royal bottle palm, bamboo, eucalyptus, and numerous bird species, such as parakeets, mynahs, kingfishers, babblers, and hornbills.
According to INTACH, the garden features an unusually diverse range of architectural styles, from Sayyid and Lodi to Mughal. The current landscaping was done by American architect Joseph Allen Stein (in 1968), and modified by a group of Japanese landscape designers.
Incidentally, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), a Delhi-based non-profit organization dedicated to preserving India's heritage, is located near the garden.
Purnima Datt, head of the Heritage Education and Communication Service (HECS) department at INTACH headquarters, says, "The garden is our close neighbor, and it's also a 'living classroom' for students, as it's home to many plant, tree, bird, and other species."
"INTACH and Lodhi Garden have a very symbiotic relationship. Every time we come to work, we see it, and we have many fond memories associated with it. Whether we're just taking a stroll or doing heritage walks, the experience is always amazing, especially being in such a spacious area right in the heart of the city," she told