Garden of Five Senses, Delhi
Located in the poised Said-ul-Ajaib, away from the din of the city, the Garden of Five Senses that sprawls over 20 acres of land is designed to stimulate your senses of touch, sight, smell, sound and taste and is a paradise for nature’s lovers. Partly built on rocky terrain and partly in the plain area, the garden has various themed parks, a section of Mughal baghs, pools of water lilies, cascades of sparkling water, a solar energy park, an amphitheatre, a humongous yet charming food court, in addition to umpteen sculptures, rock carvings and themed decor.
Designed by the famous Delhi architect Pradeep Sachdeva, the park was jointly constructed by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation at the cost of whopping 10.5 crores and was inaugurated in February 2003. Flower show during February is a notable event.
Architecture of Garden of Five Senses
Two enormous sculptures of ascending birds, carved in stainless steel welcome you to the exotic garden. In the front is the expansive plaza, set on a rocky ramp, which leads to a spiral walk away amidst a parade of slatey coloured stone elephants. The garden is divided into several parts.
To the right of the spiral stairway is the Khas Bagh. This tiny piece of garden is inspired by the Mughal char bagh style. It has lush green lawns in the four-fold style, with water tanks and free-flowing cascades of water. The sides are bedecked with small shrubberies and vibrant flowers to enhance the idyll. The median axis has a decor of umpteen fountains, the main attraction of which is the sculpture of a ‘Fountain Tree’ which is a fountain cum tree lit up by fibreoptic lighting system.
On the other side of the spiral walk away, a little further on the pathway, is the poised food court which serves insanely delicious food and the tiny shopping area which sells knick-knacks and souvenirs. A few steps ahead into the heart of the garden is the rocky ridge with stone silhouettes and a magnanimous pinwheel. Another trail of winding paths will lead you to Neel Bagh- which is a mesmerizing pool of water lilies and a colourful combination of climbers and seasonal flowers. Overhead on the trees is an elaborate decor of wind chimes soothing your senses with their calm and lulling music.
Delving deeper, you will come across a beautiful amalgamation of varied coloured floral species and bushes that are sure to entice you with their utopian composition. The huge area is adorned with multitudinous varieties (almost 200 exotic plants) of rare and endangered species of flowering plants imported from far and wide.
Not far from here, snuggled amidst huge trees and dense wilderness is the endearing amphitheatre with its stone seats and grassy steps. This is the area which hosts most fo cultural events and various art workshops etc. In addition to that, the garden also has a tiny solar area which helps in generating solar energy for the functioning of most of the garden area.
History Of Garden Of Five Senses
Located in Saidul Ajaib village near Mehrauli in Delhi, this garden was inaugurated in 2003 in the month of February. The garden was developed by Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, whereas its design was conceptualized by a Delhi-based architect named Pradeep Sachdeva.
Apart from being a spiritual and rejuvenation center for Delhiites the garden also serves as a venue for several cultural programs, food festivals, and fairs from time to time. Along with these festivals, a Garden Tourism Festival is organized every year here by the Delhi Government.
Nature Walk at Garden of Five Senses
The management organises guided tours of the garden called Nature Walks. The walk commences with the introduction and description of the trees and proceeds to the architecture which is inspired by the Mughal designs, especially the boundary walls and the dome-shaped office. The rest of the walk is restricted to admiring the alluring beauty of the bounteous place and learning about varied species of myriad flowers growing there. All in all, it is a lovely experience to unwind from the cacophony and rush of the city.
Replica of the Mexican Mayan Labna Arc at Garden of Five Senses
Believed to be a goodwill gesture to Mexico, the government hoisted a replica of Labna in Mexico, in the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi. The original Labna was built by Mayans located in Yucatan, Mexico during the Late and Terminal Classic era dating back to 862 AD. The local Labna Arch in the Garden of Five Senses was inaugurated by the then mayoress of New Delhi- Sheila Dikshit and the Mexican Ambassador Jaime Nualart. Constructed by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, the Arch was constructed with stones imported from Rajasthan similar to the ones fashioned in Yucatan. The Arch also serves as the centre for many cultural activities.
Best Time To Visit Garden of Five Senses
The best time to visit the Garden of Five Senses is sometime during the third week of February (check online beforehand) when the place hosts an absolutely breathtaking flower festival. As it is the season of spring, some wild and exotic breeds are in full bloom and you can have an enthralling experience.
Tips For Visiting Garden of Five Senses
- Carry your ID proof for the ticket counter. Do not litter.
- The park is a plastic free zone, strictly make use of the dustbins.
- Don't forget to carry a camera or a good camera mobile phone to capture the essence of the place.
- Wear light coloured comfortable clothes.
- Do not put on heels, unless you can walk for hours wearing them.
How To Reach Garden of Five Senses
A vibrant and awe-inspiring park, Garden of Five senses is spread across 20 acres of area on the land of capital city Delhi. The exact location of the park is somewhere near Saidul Ajaib village opposite Saket while in the proximity of Mehrauli Heritage Area. Those who want to witness this incredible beauty should follow the listed below paths.
By Air
Deboard at the Delhi International Airport. The airport is well-connected with other Indian cities via a good network of flights. Afterward, you can opt for a cab, taxi, metro, auto-rickshaw to further continue your journey of 15 km to reach the garden.
From Kanpur - Board Spicejet flights from Kanpur Airport. The airfares start from INR 2,000-3,000
From Lucknow - Board Go Air, Air India, Vistara flights from Lucknow Airport. The airfares start from INR 3,000-4,000
From Praygraj - Board IndiGo flights from Prayagraj Airport. The airfares start from INR 3,000-4,000
By Metro
Saket Metro station offers ease in traveling as it is in the vicinity of the Garden of Five Senses while being located on the yellow line. Once you reach the metro station of Saket, you can either prefer walking or can opt for an e-rickshaw to cover the journey of 2.5 km to the Garden.
By Train
The Nizamuddin Railway station is the nearest railway station to Garden of Five Senses. So, just book a train ticket from your city to Nizamuddin station as it has overall good train connectivity with other cities. From the station, you will need to cover a total distance of about 10-15 km to reach the garden.
By Road
Depending upon your location, you can also consider reaching here by road networks. From the nearby cities and destinations, you can easily book a cab or some other means of public transport to reach your destination.
Faridabad - 20-25 km via Chennai-Delhi Highway
Meerut - 80-90 km via NH34
Aligarh - 140 km via Taj Express Highway
Make sure you pay a visit to this garden from 9 am to 7 pm in the months of April and September. If you are visiting it anywhere from October to March, then 9 am to 6 pm can be the best time to explore it.
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