The Sanderson Sundial in the Qutub Complex of Delhi

TusharSuradkar · February 3, 2022, 2:59pm

Everytime I visit the Qutub Minar complex in Delhi a desolated Sundial beckons me.

In fact, Sundials fascinate me a lot for their perseverance demonstrated by withstanding years and decades and sometimes centuries of bearing the elements especially the rough weather of Delhi highlighted with extreme cold, and sunshine along with heavy rains.

The Sanderson sundial stands on a marble pedestal in a remote corner of the magnificent Qutub Minar complex in Delhi.

The unique feature of this sundial is the Latin phrase inscribed on it - Transit Umbra; Lux Permanent - meaning the shadow passes the light remains.

The sundial was installed in the memory of Sanderson who was a superintendent of the Archeological department in the British era.

Sanderson was involved in the extensive excavations at the site that established the fact for the first time that the tower constructed by Qutubuddin Aibak was in fact a Hindu Tempe razed to the ground and statues and idols of Hindu Gods were used in its construction.

This is seen in the inset in the photo above where the feet of an idol is used as a cornerstone of a mosque.

Quick Facts

Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Entrance Fees: Included in the fees for the Qutub Minar
Parking: RS 20 for 2 hrs

Accessibility Features

The main entrance to the Qutub Complex is accessible.
The sundial itself is accessible via a walkway.

Here’s a snapshot:

Ramp access.
A wheelchair-accessible Entrance.
A wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.
A wheelchair-accessible Parking.

How to Reach

The Delhi Metro Yellow Line has a station for Qutub Minar, or
Pile up in a shared Tuk-Tuks up to the Sundial entrance for INR 10

Have you seen a unique Sundial before?
I’d love to know your experience and see a photo if possible.

Here are some interesting and unique sundials that I have visited recently:

What Else To Do In Delhi

While you are in Delhi, these are the top-recommended places:

Shrut19 · February 3, 2022, 3:29pm

नमस्कार…

** @TusharSuradkar **

छान आहे पोस्ट,

मी कुतुबमिनार ला आशिया वन च्या वेळी भेट दिली होती, पण मला हि माहिती नविन आहे,

धन्यवाद पोस्ट शेअर केल्याबद्दल…

Rohan10 · February 3, 2022, 3:48pm

खूप मस्त माहिती. मी नुकतेच हँगिंग गार्डन च्या मीट अप मध्ये तिथे एक असेच सन डायल पाहिले होते. खूप इंटरेस्टिंग आहे. तू तुझ्या पोस्ट मधून ही माहिती इथे सादर केल्या बद्दल धन्यवाद @TusharSuradkar

TusharSuradkar · February 3, 2022, 4:06pm

@Shrut19 ताई दखल घेऊन अभिप्राय दिल्याबद्दल आभार

हा सनडायल एका कोपऱ्यात उभारण्यात आल्यामुळे त्याकडे फारसे कुणाचे लक्ष जात नाही.

बहुतेक सर्व पर्यटक घाईत असल्याने मुख्य वस्तू म्हणजेच कुटूंब मिनार पाहून निघून जातात.

मात्र मी निवांतपणे येथे फेरफटका मारत असताना मला हा आढळला.

@Rohan10 तुला हँगिंग गार्डन मध्ये दिसलेल्या सनडायलचे चित्र शक्य असल्यास सामील कर - मला पाहायला नक्की आवडेल.

Shrut19 · February 4, 2022, 6:19pm

नमस्कार…

** @Rohan10 **

फोटो शेअर कर, तुषार दादा म्हणाला त्याप्रमाणे आम्हाला हि पाहाण्याची उत्सुकता आहे…

Mukul_Anand · February 4, 2022, 7:37pm

Qutub minar is one of the famous monument in Delhi @TusharSuradkar and I like that you make a post on this fact I really want to travel to qutub minar again thanks for the information I like the idea of giving " quick facts " and “how to reach” which will help us to find the place even more easy with the idea of the fair.