Entry Fee: FREE — for all visitors, all days, with no booking required.
Lodhi Garden in New Delhi is one of the most compelling arguments for urban public space as a democratic inheritance. Spread across 90 acres in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi — between Khan Market and the Safdarjung Tomb on Lodhi Road — the garden combines a functioning public park with five genuinely significant 15th and 16th-century monuments from the Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties. Entry is free for Indians and foreign tourists alike. No ticket, no booking, no queue.
Lodhi Garden Entry Fee 2026
Entry Fee: ₹0 (Zero) — Completely Free
| Category | Entry Fee |
| Indian Citizens | Free |
| Foreign Tourists | Free |
| Children | Free |
| All days including weekends and holidays | Free |
No ticket is required — physical or digital. No counter, no queue. Simply walk in through any of the four entrance gates during opening hours.
The garden is maintained by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) as a public recreational and heritage space. This public status is the reason for free entry — the garden serves as a daily resource for the surrounding neighbourhood’s residents, and fencing it off with paid entry would compromise that function.
Lodhi Garden — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Lodhi Garden (Lodi Gardens / Lady Willingdon Park) |
| Address | Lodhi Road, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003 |
| Managed By | New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) / Archaeological Survey of India (monuments) |
| Open Days | All 7 days of the week |
| Summer Timings (April–September) | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Winter Timings (October–March) | 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | FREE (all visitors, all days) |
| Total Area | 90 acres |
| Nearest Metro | Jor Bagh (Yellow Line) ~1.1 km |
| Also Near | JLN Stadium (Violet Line) ~1.4 km, Khan Market (Violet Line) ~1.3 km |
| Monuments Inside | 5 significant structures (15th–16th century) |
| Dynasties Represented | Sayyid (1414–1451) and Lodhi (1451–1526) |
Lodhi Garden Timings 2026
| Season | Opening | Closing |
| Summer (April to September) | 5:00 AM | 8:00 PM |
| Winter (October to March) | 6:00 AM | 8:00 PM |
The garden is open every day of the year including Sundays, national holidays, and public holidays. There is no closing day.
Best visiting windows:
- Early morning (5:00–7:00 AM): Morning walkers, joggers, yoga practitioners. Misty winter mornings transform the garden’s atmosphere completely. Bird activity is highest.
- Late afternoon/golden hour (4:00–7:00 PM): Best photography light on the sandstone monuments. The monuments photograph dramatically against the sky in the hour before sunset.
- Avoid: Mid-morning on weekends (10 AM–12 PM) during tourist season — highest crowd density.
History of Lodhi Garden
The Monuments’ Origins
The structures in Lodhi Garden predate British India by four centuries. They were built during two successive dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate:
The Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451): A line of rulers of Central Asian origin who controlled Delhi after Timur’s invasion. Relatively weak politically, they left behind significant funerary architecture.
The Lodhi Dynasty (1451–1526): An Afghan dynasty that proved more vigorous than the Sayyids. Ibrahim Lodi, the last Lodhi sultan, was defeated and killed by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 — ending the Sultanate and beginning the Mughal empire.
The tombs in today’s garden were surrounded by what was once a village called Khairpur. The British colonial administration cleared the village and formalized the grounds as a park — first named Lady Willingdon Park after the wife of the Viceroy — in 1936. It was renamed Lodhi Garden after Independence.
Archaeological Survey of India
The five major monuments within the garden are protected under the Archaeological Survey of India and are maintained separately from the garden grounds. Photography of the monuments is permitted freely from the exterior; interior access to some structures requires nominal permits in certain cases.
The Five Monuments
1. Tomb of Mohammed Shah (Built 1444)
The oldest structure in the garden. Built by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah, the last Sayyid ruler, as a tribute to Mohammed Shah — the third Sayyid emperor who ruled Delhi from 1434 to 1445.
Architecture: An octagonal plan — the earliest use of the octagonal tomb form in Delhi, which would become standard in subsequent Sultanate and Mughal funerary architecture. A central chamber is surrounded by a verandah with three arched openings on each face. Slender chhatris (domed kiosks) sit at the corners of the parapet. The dome is double-curved.
Location: Southwest corner of the garden, visible from Lodhi Road.
Significance: Mohammed Shah’s actual grave is reportedly at the centre of the chamber floor, surrounded by eight subsidiary graves. The structure established a design template that influenced Delhi architecture for the next century.
2. Tomb of Sikander Lodi (Built 1517)
The most significant monument in the garden historically — the burial place of Sikander Lodi, the penultimate sultan of the Lodhi dynasty, who ruled from 1489 to 1517.
Built by Sikander’s son Ibrahim Lodi (who would go on to lose to Babur at Panipat, ending the dynasty), this tomb represents early mature Lodhi funerary architecture.
Architecture: An octagonal structure enclosed within a walled square garden — one of the first times a tomb was given its own enclosed garden setting in the Delhi tradition, anticipating the Mughal charbagh tomb format. The main dome is broader and more Persian in character than the Mohammed Shah tomb. No chhatris — a departure from the earlier Sayyid style. Detailed stucco work on the interior.
Location: Northwest corner of the garden.
Historical note: Sikander Lodi moved the capital of the Delhi Sultanate from Delhi to Agra in 1504 — a decision that concentrated Mughal-era patronage around Agra and contributed to the location of the Taj Mahal over a century later.
3. Bara Gumbad (Built 1490)
The name translates as “Big Dome” — which is accurate but understates the structure’s architectural ambition. Built during the reign of Sikander Lodi.
Architecture: A square rubble-masonry structure with a single massive dome — the largest dome in the garden. No inscriptions name the structure’s intended occupant or purpose, and no grave has been found inside. Historians believe it may have served as a gateway or raised platform for the adjacent mosque rather than as a tomb.
The exterior stone carving is among the finest surviving examples of late Sultanate craftsmanship in Delhi — geometric interlace, calligraphic panels, and floral arabesques on the facade.
Location: Northeast section of the garden.
4. Shish Gumbad (Built c.1489–1517)
The name translates as “Glass Dome” — a reference to the original blue glazed tile work that once decorated the exterior. Most of the original tile is gone, but fragments remain visible, explaining the name.
Architecture: A rectangular structure with a single dome. The interior features notable stucco work, decorative painting fragments, and carved stone screens. The proportions are more restrained than the Bara Gumbad.
Location: Adjacent to the Bara Gumbad.
5. Bara Gumbad Masjid (Built 1494)
A three-domed mosque adjacent to the Bara Gumbad, sharing an enclosure wall. The mosque retains original stucco work of exceptional quality — among the finest interiors in the garden. The mihrab (prayer niche) and flanking pilasters carry detailed carved decoration.
The mosque remains functional for prayer on Fridays; non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times but should follow standard mosque decorum (remove footwear, dress modestly) when entering the prayer hall.
The Natural Environment
Trees and Greenery
Lodhi Garden’s 90 acres contain over 50 species of trees, including:
- Jamun (Indian Blackberry) — Large old specimens along the main paths
- Peepal (Sacred Fig) — Ancient individual trees with significant canopy spread
- Neem — Dense shade throughout
- Bougainvillea — Flowering walls along internal boundaries
- Ashoka — Columnar trees framing monument approaches
- Rose Garden — A dedicated section maintained with seasonal roses
The garden’s tree cover is mature — most of the major specimens were planted during the colonial period and are now 70 to 90+ years old, creating genuine forest canopy in sections rather than the open lawns typical of newer Delhi parks.
Birdwatching
Lodhi Garden has a documented bird list of over 100 species across resident and migrant populations. Common sightings include:
Residents: Rose-ringed parakeet, Red-vented bulbul, Asian koel, Common myna, White-throated kingfisher, Black-headed ibis (at the lake), Purple sunbird, Coppersmith barbet
Winter migrants: Various warblers, flycatchers, and raptors. The garden attracts birding groups from across Delhi during the October–February migration season.
The small ornamental lake in the eastern section is the focal point for water birds.
The Greenhouse
A greenhouse maintained within the garden cultivates plants and seedlings for the garden’s botanical needs. It is occasionally open for visitor viewing.
Who Uses Lodhi Garden
Morning walkers and joggers: The garden’s reputation as Delhi’s most pleasant walking space is earned — paths run continuously through varied vegetation and past the monuments, making 30-minute circuits possible in multiple configurations.
Yoga practitioners: Groups gather at designated sections every morning (5:00–8:00 AM), particularly in winter. Individual practitioners use the lawns throughout the day.
Photographers: The combination of 15th-century sandstone architecture, mature trees, soft morning and evening light, and freely roaming birds creates conditions that professional photographers, wedding portrait sessions, and Instagram photographers all find productive. Photography is permitted throughout.
Families: Picnics are actively encouraged — no prohibition on outside food (unlike most Delhi parks and tourist sites). Children run on the lawns; families spread on grass throughout the day.
Couples: Lodhi Garden is one of Delhi’s most well-known spaces for couples — the dense vegetation and multiple secluded corners provide privacy rare in Delhi’s public spaces.
History and architecture students: A standard fieldwork site for Delhi’s architecture and history programmes. The five monuments represent a coherent survey of Sultanate funerary architecture across a single 15-minute walk.
How to Reach Lodhi Garden
Address: Lodhi Road, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003.
Entrance Gates: Four gates. Gate 1 is on Lodhi Road (main entrance, facing south). Additional gates on the northern and eastern boundaries.
By Metro (Recommended):
- Jor Bagh Metro Station (Yellow Line) — 1.1 km; 12–15 minutes walk through the Jor Bagh residential area; e-rickshaws available
- JLN Stadium Metro Station (Violet Line) — 1.4 km; 15 minutes walk
- Khan Market Metro Station (Violet Line) — 1.3 km; 15 minutes walk; e-rickshaws and autos available
By Cab: Set destination “Lodhi Garden Gate 1” on Ola/Uber. Accessible from anywhere in Delhi. Parking available on Lodhi Road.
By Bus: Multiple DTC bus routes serve the Lodhi Road corridor — check DTC or the Delhi government transit app for current routes.
Nearby Attractions
| Attraction | Distance | Type |
| Khan Market | ~0.5 km | Shopping, cafes, restaurants |
| Safdarjung Tomb | ~0.8 km | Mughal tomb (1753–54); small entry fee |
| India Habitat Centre | ~0.7 km | Cultural centre, restaurants, gallery |
| Humayun’s Tomb | ~3.5 km | UNESCO WHS; ₹40 entry |
| India Gate | ~2.5 km | National monument |
| Sunder Nursery | ~3 km | Heritage park, gardens; small entry fee |
Visitor Guidelines
- No entry fee; no booking required
- Photography permitted throughout (monuments and gardens)
- Pets permitted on leash in garden areas
- Picnics permitted on lawns
- No alcohol, no smoking
- No damaging of heritage structures — strictly monitored
- Dogs must be on leash; waste bags expected
- Loud music or amplified sound not permitted
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is there an entry fee for Lodhi Garden Delhi?
No. Lodhi Garden is completely free for all visitors — Indian and foreign — all days of the week. No ticket purchase, no booking, and no registration required.
Q2. What are Lodhi Garden timings?
Summer (April–September): 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Winter (October–March): 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. Open all 7 days including holidays.
Q3. Which metro is nearest to Lodhi Garden?
Jor Bagh Metro Station (Yellow Line) is the nearest at approximately 1.1 km. JLN Stadium and Khan Market stations (Violet Line) are also walkable at 1.3–1.4 km.
Q4. Can we have a picnic at Lodhi Garden?
Yes. Picnics are permitted on the lawns. Outside food is allowed. The garden has no restriction on bringing food, unlike most paid tourist sites in Delhi.
Q5. What is the best time to visit Lodhi Garden?
October to February for the most comfortable weather. Early morning (5:00–7:00 AM) for birding and quiet walks. Late afternoon (4:00–7:00 PM) for golden-hour photography of the monuments.
