Morning Walk in the Lodhi Gardens, Delhi

Our dear friend and neighbor of 50 plus years, Vinod Kohli suggested to meet at the famous Lodhi Gardens on a May Sunday morning and also invited another very dear friend Amar and his wife Monica to join.

The not so early morning was cool as per Delhi standards. It was really fun to walk and talk with highly informative guys like Amar and Vinod. I must confess that Amar's participation in the talks on various diverse subjects made the discussions more lively as his inputs were a tonic to mind. Ever smiling Amar reflects what his mind is all about. One rarely finds such a cool person in life. The walk and talk kick started our day with a thrill and excitement.

Lodi Gardens


 Feeling relaxed and raring to go to start the walk.

Lodi Gardens park in Delhi, is spread over 90 acres. It contains, Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century Sayyid and Lodis, a Pashtun dynasty which ruled much of Northern India during the 16th century. The site is now protected by the Department of Archeological Survey of Government Of India.


Amar and Vinod engrossed in discussions.

Harvinder and Monica are not far behind

The gardens are situated between Khan Market and Safdarjung's Tomb on Lodi Road. It is beautiful, picturesque and serene, and is a hotspot for morning walks for the Delhiites. I have often met Khushwant Singh, the famous writer here. One day very early in the morning in 1995 or so, I happened to meet tainted HKL Bhagat having a walk with his armed guard. I felt he was shocked a bit when I extended my hand for a shake. So this is a place where famous and rich mingle with ordinary folks.

A fellow-walker was kind enough to take a snap of all of us together with Mohammed Shah Tomb in the back ground.

The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid dynasty rulers, the earliest of the tombs in the garden, was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as a tribute to Mohammed Shah.

As there is little architecture from these periods remaining in India, Lodi Gardens is an important place of preservation. The tomb of Mohammed Shah is visible from the road, and is the earliest structure in the gardens. The architecture is characterised by the octagonal chamber, with stone chhajjas on the roof and guldastas on the corners. Even today, the structure looks graceful and glittering in the morning summer sun.

A lonely man among group of women seen here meditating on spread out sheets and perhaps readying themselves for Yoga.

At the exit door, we quenched our thirst with a fresh coconut water which made us so freshening and raring to go for South Indian breakfast at Andhra Bhawan.



           Yummiest !




                    Cheese Dosa


   One day I had a chance to spot Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi enjoying Ice cream in mid seventies near India Gate around here.


In the fag end, we were joined by Vinod's smart and decent nephew Sanjeev Sethi and his friendly wife Rinu Sethi over the breakfast. Thanks Sanjeev Rinu for hosting the breakfast.

It was all over in three hours.


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Location:New Delhi