Garden of Five Senses

Two enormous sculptures of ascending birds, carved in stainless steel welcome you to the exotic garden. In the front is the expansive plaza, set on a rocky ramp, which leads to a spiral walk away amidst a parade of slatey coloured stone elephants. The garden is divided into several parts.

To the right of the spiral stairway is the Khas Bagh. This tiny piece of garden is inspired by the Mughal char bagh style. It has lush green lawns in the four-fold style, with water tanks and free-flowing cascades of water. The sides are bedecked with small shrubberies and vibrant flowers to enhance the idyll. The median axis has a decor of umpteen fountains, the main attraction of which is the sculpture of a ‘Fountain Tree’ which is a fountain cum tree lit up by fibreoptic lighting system.

On the other side of the spiral walk away, a little further on the pathway, is the poised food court which serves insanely delicious food and the tiny shopping area which sells knick-knacks and souvenirs. A few steps ahead into the heart of the garden is the rocky ridge with stone silhouettes and a magnanimous pinwheel. Another trail of winding paths will lead you to Neel Bagh- which is a mesmerizing pool of water lilies and a colourful combination of climbers and seasonal flowers. Overhead on the trees is an elaborate decor of wind chimes soothing your senses with their calm and lulling music.

Delving deeper, you will come across a beautiful amalgamation of varied coloured floral species and bushes that are sure to entice you with their utopian composition. The huge area is adorned with multitudinous varieties (almost 200 exotic plants) of rare and endangered species of flowering plants imported from far and wide.

Not far from here, snuggled amidst huge trees and dense wilderness is the endearing amphitheatre with its stone seats and grassy steps. This is the area which hosts most fo cultural events and various art workshops etc. In addition to that, the garden also has a tiny solar area which helps in generating solar energy for the functioning of most of the garden area.

The management organises guided tours of the garden called Nature Walks. The walk commences with the introduction and description of the trees and proceeds to the architecture which is inspired by the Mughal designs, especially the boundary walls and the dome-shaped office. The rest of the walk is restricted to admiring the alluring beauty of the bounteous place and learning about varied species of myriad flowers growing there. All in all, it is a lovely experience to unwind from the cacophony and rush of the city.

Believed to be a goodwill gesture to Mexico, the government hoisted a replica of Labna in Mexico, in the Garden of Five Senses, New Delhi. The original Labna was built by Mayans located in Yucatan, Mexico during the Late and Terminal Classic era dating back to 862 AD. The local Labna Arch in the Garden of Five Senses was inaugurated by the then mayoress of New Delhi- Sheila Dikshit and the Mexican Ambassador Jaime Nualart. Constructed by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, the Arch was constructed with stones imported from Rajasthan similar to the ones fashioned in Yucatan. The Arch also serves as the centre for many cultural activities.

The best time to visit the Garden of Five Senses is sometime during the third week of February (check online beforehand) when the place hosts an absolutely breathtaking flower festival. As it is the season of spring, some wild and exotic breeds are in full bloom and you can have an enthralling experience.

1. Carry your ID proof for the ticket counter. Do not litter.
2. The park is a plastic free zone, strictly make use of the dustbins.
3. Don't forget to carry a camera or a good camera mobile phone to capture the essence of the place.
4. Wear light coloured comfortable clothes.
5. Do not put on heels, unless you can walk for hours wearing them.

Delhi is a state well connected through metro and state-run buses. The nearest metro station to the Garden of Five Senses is Saket Metro, situated on the yellow line. The garden is just about 2.5 kms from the metro; you can either choose to walk or hire a local or a battery run rickshaw. You can also book a taxi cab for a more comfortable journey. Alternatively, you can travel in one of the buses which will be relatively economical.