Lodi Gardens has several entry points and four official gates. At the southern end of it is the tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyid of the Sayyid dynasty, while at the northern end lies the tomb of Sikandar Lodi of the Lodi dynasty.
Athpula
This bridge in Lodhi Garden was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, sometime between 1560 and 1570. Its name, Athpula, meaning “eight piers,” refers to the eight solid stone piers supporting its seven elegant arches that span across a once-flowing tributary of the Yamuna. It was constructed under the patronage of Nawab Bahadur, a noble in Akbar’s court. Though the stream beneath it has long dried up, the bridge remains an important monument that blends into the lush greenery of Lodhi Gardens, which itself houses other important historical tombs and structures from earlier periods like the Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties.
Tomb of Sikandar Lodi
It follows the octagonal plan with triple arched entrance on each side and sloping buttresses on the corners. It is enclosed in a walled complex with an entrance on the south and a wall mosque of the west. The tomb is devoid of ornamentation except for some frescoes and stucco works in the interiors.
Turret
The 8.5-meter-high turret probably served as a corner tower of an enclosure, whose walls have long vanished. It has two levels and is crowned with a ribbed dome. The lower level contains a small room. The second level contains a projected decorated jharokha (oriel) styled balcony.
Mosque and Gateway
The Mughals also constructed a small complex consisting of a gateway, mosque and garden. The two-storeyed gateway has a triple-arched entrance. The mosque has a single chamber and is crowned with three domes. There is a courtyard on its eastern side, with the garden positioned in front of it.
Bada Gumbad
The Bada Gumbad structure is U shaped with the dome on the southern side. The mosque is on the western side and the assembly hall or the guest house is on the eastern house. All the three structure stands on a high plinth and is approachable by a broad flight of stairs from the south side. There is an open courtyard in the middle.
The huge dome of the Bara Gumbad is supported by a square structure. It is built of grey sand stone. The exterior of Bada Gumbad is relieved with recessed arches and traces of red and black stones can also be seen. From the outside the structure looks two storied but it is a single storied structure.
The nearest metro station is Jorbagh on yellow line. The station is around a km from the garden. If you are coming by your own vehicle there is ample parking space near Gate No-1. Entry is free. Nice clean restrooms are there. The garden tends to get crowded on weekends and during evenings. So best time is to go early morning.
To be continued…
