The idea to start sharing my experiences came to my mind a few months after I moved to Gurgaon - sometime back in October 2017. I was in Gurgaon way back in 2004 and when I moved out of the city in 2006, I had made a promise to myself - never to come back here for another job, no matter how lucrative it would be. But then you can't change what destiny has in store for you and here I was back in the city one hot summer day in May 2017. The first 6 months went by, settling in the new city, getting comfortable with my new job, looking for a school for Kashvi, finding a gym in the neighborhood and getting back to the life I was used to. Thanks to Gurgaon, its infrastructure and my flexible work schedule, I had some time to think what I wanted out of life. From there on it was a trial and error process engaging with multiple people and activities and at the end narrowed down on - a) heritage walks, b) cycling and c) yoga and fitness. These 3 (along with my family) have become an i
One of the most enjoyable ways to see Delhi is to wake up early and set out with Delhi by cycle. A 24km one way ride and we were ready for a 2km walk at Lodhi Garden followed by the amazing murals in Lodhi Art District - 26 walls which have been given a dazzling makeover by St+Art.
We stick to the usual route from Galleria to Mehrauli Gurgaon road via Sunset Boulevard and Aravali Bio Diversity park, crossing Ghitorni and joining Aurobindo Marg after crossing Qutub Minar. This was our first ride destination by the way if you click on the link.
So we lock our bikes and hit the jogging track which is a 2km marked lap around Lodi Gardens. The track is well shaded, with each 100m marked with people walking and jogging in either direction.
Lodhi Garden is a sprawling green oasis in Central Delhi, dotted with medieval tombs, mosques, bridges and watchtowers built by the Lodhi and the Sayyid dynasties. The garden is dotted with monuments like the Shish Gumbad and Bara Gumbad, and the octagonal tombs of Muhamad Shah Sayyid and Sikandar Lodhi. These heritage monuments are not only a photographers delight but also ensures that you are motivated enough to do multiple laps. Lodhi Garden is also the preferred walking track for Delhi's elite and also attracts walkers from all across the capital region.
The walk gave the much-required break to our legs after the 25km ride. Before heading back we decided to explore Lodhi Art District which is India’s first public art district in Khanna market and Meherchand market in Lodi area.
We came across huge wall paintings as we navigated through the blocks of Lodhi Colony. These wall graffiti touched several subjects ranging from history, culture, science and nature. We managed to navigate through Block 11 which had a poem painted on the wall which read: Sans Serifs No Letters, And No Words To Read, Sans Words No Signs, No Names In The Streets, Just Rows Of Buildings, And Gardens Sans Weeds.
Next, we headed to Block 9 which depicted a colourful meteorite with an astronaut on top of the wall, with colourful rays bursting to the ground.
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| The Tomb of Muhammad Shah, Lodhi Garden |
We continue on the same road which takes us via Sarvodaya Enclave Market -> Hauz Khas -> Green Park -> Bada Gurudwara (Green Park). We continue further on Sri Aurobindo Marg crossing AIIMS -> INA Market (Dilli Haat) before reaching Safdarjung Tomb. We had crossed this landmark multiple times but never stopped over. So decided to stop over for a few minutes at Safdarjung Tomb before taking the right to Lodhi Garden.
If you are cycling you can take the road that turns right into Lodhi Road from Safdarjung Tomb which is otherwise closed for traffic entering Lodhi Road. Another 500 meters and we were at Lodhi Gardens.
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| Walled enclosure of Sikander Lodhi's Tomb |
The walk gave the much-required break to our legs after the 25km ride. Before heading back we decided to explore Lodhi Art District which is India’s first public art district in Khanna market and Meherchand market in Lodi area.We came across huge wall paintings as we navigated through the blocks of Lodhi Colony. These wall graffiti touched several subjects ranging from history, culture, science and nature. We managed to navigate through Block 11 which had a poem painted on the wall which read: Sans Serifs No Letters, And No Words To Read, Sans Words No Signs, No Names In The Streets, Just Rows Of Buildings, And Gardens Sans Weeds.
Next, we headed to Block 9 which depicted a colourful meteorite with an astronaut on top of the wall, with colourful rays bursting to the ground.
This district is a must visit for any art lover who would like to witness an amalgamation of various vibrant art forms ranging from Indian, western and contemporary.
There was a lot to explore and that needs to be done on another occasion when we would like to explore each of the bylanes and cover all the wall arts.
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