Saturday, September 19, 2015

Lodi Gardens

Lodi Gardens are located in residential Delhi and a favorite location for joggers, yoga enthusiasts, families and couples looking for some green space within the confines of this crazy city. Architecturally, the tombs and mosque in the gardens are a wonderful representation of India itself.

Designs from the Lodi and Sayyid dynasties (15th century) can still be seen along with a mosque built in 1494. Arabic script resides next to lotus flowers and elephants which are Hindu symbols. Intricate detail is the hallmark of the Lodi and Sayyid dynasties including the original mosaic blue tile from the 15th century that can still be seen today.

The gardens are well cared for by multiple workers who use push mowers and manual labor to mow, plough, prune, plant and weed the gardens. As in other tropical countries ficus is trained into hedge rows and banyan trees grow throughout. Parrots, parakeets and other exotic birds call the garden home and in true Hindu tradition are fed along with the crows and pigeons – all living things being considered sacred. 


Bara Gumbad (big dome) and Sheesh Gumbad (glazed dome) are the tombs of unknown Lodi Emperors 
Arabic script is just part of the hand carved detail















This photo shows the sandstone detail of the Lodi tomb
The octagonal tomb of Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517)
Another view of Sikandar Lodi's tomb.

Butters and Vinnie playing on some of the exercise equipment that is provided in Lodi Gardens
We passed India Gate on our way to lunch after the Lodi Gardens. India gate is a memorial to the British and Indian soldiers who died in WW I and for those killed in the third Afghan war. 

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