Saturday in the Park -- Lodhi Gardens

On Long Island, archaeologists get excited when they uncover the foundation to a building of an eighteenth century whaling village on the East End. To further illustrate it's infancy, on Long Island, you'd make the most meaningful distinction by identifying "pre-war" buildings as those constructed before WWII.

So, I've found it refreshing to come to India and completely overhaul my personal definition of "old". There were great civilizations here while the French were still running around half-naked flinging croissants at one another (I read about the croissants in a book -- it must be true). Heck, India is where Alexander the Great met his match and reasoned that 'enough is enough.' Even right here in Delhi, within walking distance of my house, there are structures that predate Jesus Christ.

The city's stewards over the centuries (Indian kings, Mughals, Brits, etc.) demonstrated great wisdom and foresight when the decided to link and preserve 5 very old monuments within the confines of one great park in the middle of the city called Lodhi (rhymes with "Brody") Gardens. Four of the monuments are tombs or cenotaphs (a tomb without a body), and the fifth is an ancient mosque (pictured at right).

This park is very popular among city residents. In the times I've been there, I see lots of people picnicking, jogging, playing with dogs, or just enjoying the spring weather. It's also, from what I can surmise, a popular make out spot; I've always feel compelled to tell them to find a room, or an alley, or something more private.

The landscape is stunning. Beautiful, exotic plant life grow everywhere, and all kinds of parakeets, hawks, vultures, and other birds call the park home. Much of the green areas slopes down to a body of water that was once part of a city river that has since been artificially diverted.

Park goers are permitted in every corner of each of the monuments -- there are no roped off areas or guards telling you not to bring food or beverages in. What would otherwise be a breathtaking landscape in its own right is augmented by the presence of these buildings. New Delhi residents are lucky to have it.