Garden of Five Senses happens to be my first post from Gurgaon. Yes, I am back in Delhi, Gurgaon to be precise, almost after seven years and the place has changed beyond recognition.
Garden of Five Senses, Delhi
I often find myself struggling to make my way through the maze created partially by time and partially by upcoming constructions, especially the metro. During my last stint in NCR, I do not remember exploring it too much, the reason I am unable to think. But now after having a taste of wandering in the south, coupled with the fact that I have bandwidth on hand, I keep looking out for interesting things that can be done in NCR.
One such search led me to this garden in Delhi. I visited the garden almost a month back when it was hosting a festival and appropriately a flower festival. This relatively new garden is located in Said-Ul-Azaib village, in the Mehrauli heritage area. To reach this place you have to crawl through quite a bit of traffic. Apparently, sometime down the line, a metro line should take you straight to the garden.
Garden Details
Designed to stimulate our five senses with its attractions like the touch, smell, hearing, seeing our natural surroundings, and tasting some good food in the restaurants on its premises. A leisure space for the public, a place to socialize and unwind in the megapolis.
It is spread in about 20 acres of land, not too big for a garden. But then not too small considering the location it is in. There are interesting animal figures created with steel and hedging plants, displaying topiary skills. There is a bit of a touch of the Mughal era, through the terraced garden with slow-flowing water, there are walkways that spiral across the garden. This can at times can create the feeling of being lost and losing your way. There are a variety of plants.
There are paths created to pamper your sense of smell, where you can walk and smell the surrounding plants.
The natural terrain provides a good backdrop of rocks, you can actually climb some of them and get an over-the-top view of seemingly distant Delhi. There are occasional art pieces scattered around the garden, mostly made out of metal. At times made of clay and stone. There is a solar park that displays various vehicles and equipment that run on solar energy.
A variety of plant species including the local varieties are maintained/developed there. Small but specialized zones in the park are:
- Khas Bagh – inspired by Mughal Gardens
- Color Garden – Pathway depicting the composition of natural colors
- Neel Bagh – Pools of Water Lillies
- Bamboo court
- Central Plaza
- Herbal Gardens
- Cactii court
- Aromatic gardens
- Zen gardens
- Butterfly zone
- Solar Energy Park
Art Work
There are several artworks on display in the gardens representing an amalgamation of modern and traditional art by established masters and young artists.
Functions
Garden of Five Senses is not only interestingly named, but it has also been planned as a venue for public functions like hosting musical shows in perfect natural surroundings. There is a small amphitheater built with rustic sandstone tiles which can be used for events with a small audience. There are fountains that can provide respite from the heat during summer. And also provide a romantic backdrop for musical evenings. Besides cultural events, this place is also popularly used for food festivals, Delhi tourism festivals, and dandiya.
Commercial Viability
To make the place commercially viable, there are a couple of high-end restaurants on the premises and retail space which is still under construction. A few stores already operating out of this place are upmarket ones, belonging to designers and some interesting concepts. There was one store that had merchandise made out of old newspapers, all kinds of things including curtains and stuff for daily use. I would look forward to more such concept stores, though they are awfully expensive for an average pocket.
Timings and Entry Ticket
There is an entry ticket which is quite nominal. But once you are in the place it appears to be designed to cater to the upper section of the society leading to a bit of dichotomy.
- Open on all days of the week
- 9 AM to 7 PM April to September
- 9 AM to 6 PM October to March
Do enquire before you go. Developed by Delhi Tourism Development Corporation and inaugurated in 2003.
Photography Charges
A nominal fee is charged for carrying a camera inside. However, permission for a professional photoshoot on the premises would cost significantly higher. Do check accordingly.
Address
Garden of Five Senses Delhi: Near Saket Metro Station, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Said Ul Ajaib Village, Mittal Garden, Sainik Farm, New Delhi – 110030
Contact Number: 011 – 29536401
Flower Show at Garden of Five Senses
When we went there a flower festival was going on. We got an opportunity to see and click a lot of colorful flowers which were in full bloom. Strolling among a huge variety of garden flowers on the show is itself worth the time & very refreshing from the city life. Sharing some of the pictures.
At the fag end of Delhi winters, the flower show is held here. A competitive display of garden flowers of various colors and color combinations is kept on display by the participants like the corporates, nurseries, individuals, flower seed marketers, etc. Some of them also have stalls selling the plants and seeds of flowering plants. You may buy them for your personal gardening hobbies etc.
Colorful flowers like Dahlias, Roses, Daisies, Gazanias, Primrose, Cosmos, Pansies, etc, and many varieties of Cactus can be seen during the show. There are prizes to be won for the best gardening flowers.
Nice Outing
A nice place for once in a year visit, when the weather is just perfect in Delhi for an outing. Every February it hosts tourism festivals like flower exhibitions contests, food festivals, different Melas, Dandiya festivals, and folk music programs. The weather is also perfect at this time of year to spend a day amidst nature enjoying the best that the garden exhibits.
Delhi Tourism site says the Garden has been designed to the imagery suggested by the name Garden of Five Senses. Color, fragrances, texture, and form all come together in an evocative bouquet that awakens the mind to the beauty of life and invokes a grateful prayer for the gift of sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
On a lazy day, if this area is not too far from where you stay, you can go for a stroll or have a nice meal in the natural surroundings. Recommend you spend half a day during weekends in this beautiful garden in the right season.
Recommend you to read the following Delhi Walking Tours, travel blog posts I have covered.
I was in Delhi but never been there as a visitors. Last of April I am visiting. And now will visit delhi as a visitor.
Beautiful flowers
Thank you Harshita, yes the flowers are lovely.
Hey Anuradha Goyal very nice article I like your publication and very beautiful flowers