New Delhi, April 9 Home to centuries-old tombs and some of the most exotic plants and bird species, Delhi's iconic Lodhi Garden – often described as the "best urban oasis in Asia" – turned 90 on Thursday.
The horticultural delight, nestled in the heart of the national capital, bordering the posh Lodhi Estate and upscale Khan Market, was opened on April 9, 1936, as "The Lady Willingdon Park," named after the then Vicereine of India.
Essentially serving as Delhi's lungs, the wide green space, spread over 90 acres, is a popular spot for morning and evening walks, as well as for joggers, or those seeking a quiet escape from the city's hustle and bustle.
This garden was created after relocating Khairpur, a village on the outskirts of New Delhi.
During the 1911 Delhi Durbar, the British announced the shift of their imperial capital from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi, and a new capital city – later named New Delhi – was built, which was officially inaugurated on February 13, 1931, by the then Viceroy Lord Irwin.
With its beautiful flora and fauna, the Lodhi Garden is also a favorite among many picnickers and tourists, both domestic and foreign.
In addition to its diverse plant and tree species, such as neem, jamun, royal bottle palm, bamboo, eucalyptus, and numerous birds, including parakeets, mynahs, kingfishers, babblers, and hornbills, the garden also features scattered monuments.
According to INTACH, the garden contains an unusually rich variety of architectural styles, ranging from Sayyid and Lodi to Mughal. The present 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 body that works for the preservation of unprotected heritage in the country, is located near the garden.
Purnima Datt, head of the HECS (Heritage Education and Communication Service) department at INTACH headquarters, says the garden is "our close neighbour" and also essentially a "living classroom" for students, as it is home to a wide variety of plants, trees, birds, butterflies, and other fauna.
"INTACH and Lodhi Garden have a very symbiotic relationship. For us, we see it every time we go to work, and we have so many fond memories associated with it. Whether it's a visit purely for a stroll or a heritage walk, the experience is always amazing, just to be in such an open space right in the heart of the city," she told