October 12, 2021 5459

Sunder Nursery- A Paradise for Eco-Travellers in Delhi

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Sunder Nursery is a beautiful gem in the capital of India. Visible from the popular Humayun’s Tomb, this place is one of the best gardens of Delhi with an abundance of trees, flowers, and monuments. It was furthermore a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. It has been under renovation for the past 10 years, this beautiful nursery was opened to people in 2018. Sunder Nursery in New Delhi is a 16th-century heritage garden dwelling to 6 world heritage monuments. The 90-acre garden close by Humayun's Tomb furthermore houses a paradise garden with a marble fountain, more than 300 plants and tree species, 80 bird species, and 40 butterfly species. Previously recognized as Azeem Bagh, it was originally constructed by the Mughals in the 16th century.

History and Restoration of Sunder Nursery

Sunder Nursery

A location of three Delhi Rulers the Mughals, British and Indian, this Nursery was utilized and exploited by all for five centuries. Constructed by the Mughals in the 16th century, the park was initially known as Azim Bagh. However as the authority shifted hands in Delhi, so did the title and objective of Azim Bagh.

The region lay in a sorry condition until the British concluded to switch their capital from Calcutta ( Kolkata ) to Delhi in 1911. Alick Percy Lancaster, the last British horticulturist in India, restored the Sunder Nursery in Delhi, to experiment with the imported trees that would later be sowed along New Delhi’s roads. That’s how it got established as a ‘Nursery’. The “Sunder” portion of the title arrives from the ‘Sunder Burj’ tomb situated in the same area.

Sunder Nursery

In the 1940s, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) attained the nursery and proceeded to use it for field experiments of diverse plants and tree species. After Lying in neglect for decades, in 2007 Agha Khan Trust commenced the ten years of the comprehensive rehabilitation endeavor. Sunder Nursery, presently a heritage park, was opened for people to explore in 2018. The garden is a considerable case study of the remarkable transformation of a deserted disposal ground to Delhi’s new landscaping marvel and Heritage Park.

The park is located between the Humayun tomb on the south and Purana Qila to the north, two of the greatly important architectural wonders in New Delhi. The starry nursery is dwelling to fifteen heritage monuments safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India. 6 UNESCO World Heritage monuments within the Nursery are: -

  • Sunder Burj
  • Sunderwala Mahal
  • Lakkar Wala Burj
  • Mirza Muazzafar Hussain's Tomb
  • Chotta Bateshewala
  • Mughal Pavilion

After years of enthusiastic restoring to make way through ancient trees and gnarly roots, these elegant tombs and gumbads have been illustrated with spectacular settings. Presently the Lakkar Wala Burj tomb sits in the new rose garden, while the original white lime mortar and orange sandstone architecture of the sixteenth century SunderWala Mahal has been conserved. The red sandstone walls on the inside of SunderWala Mahal had thousands of Quranic verses inscribed into them, all of which have been imitated.

Why Visit Sunder Nursery

Observe Monuments 

Observe Monuments sunder nursery

The heritage site has many monuments selected as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, some of them are Sunder Burj, Lakkarwala Burj, Mirza Muzaffar Hussain’s Tomb, Sunderwala Mahal, and Chhota Batashewala. It furthermore has lotus-shaped fountains and 2 sixteenth-century gumbads, Sunderwala Burj and Lakkarwala Burj. Lately, these gumbads have been freshly decorated and renovated and look delightful with colorful blossoms all around them.

Sunder Nursery Weekend Market

Sunder Nursery Weekend Market

Every weekend, The Earth Collective farmers market is set up at Sunder Nursery with both permanent and fresh stalls. There are around 45 stalls in whole at this organic market, trading local handmade clothing, home decor, snacks, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Artisan commodities, beverages, pickles and preserves, terracotta cookware, handmade apparel, and solar power commodities are a few of the eco-friendly commodities available. If you wish to grow plants at your home, do pick up Sunder Nursery’s organic vermicompost, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Timings: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Weekends Only

Outdoor Lakeside Cafe

Outdoor Lakeside Cafe

Fabcafe by The Lake is a natural Indian bistro settled down in the garden with a picturesque alfresco environment and beautiful lakeside seating. After taking a tour of Sunder Nursery, guests gather for brunch and snacks at this cafe to appreciate fascinating lake perspectives. The highlights of their healthy and traditional Indian menu are vegan tofu akuri, super tikki chat, mattar paneer parathas, and homemade Almond Milk.

Open Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Everyday

Cost for Two: INR 1,200

The Bonsai House

The Bonsai House at Sunder Nursery

In 1950, Mr. V.P. Agnihotri, a lifelong enthusiast, and collector of miniatures bestowed a bonsai house to Sunder Nursery. Few of the arboreal brethren here are a doddering 90 years old. You can furthermore find plants tagged with names of donors, some of who are British administrators who imported exotic seeds to this garden in the early 1900s. The Bonsai House is furthermore dwelling to 40 species of butterflies like a blue and yellow pansy, Indian Palm Bob, peacock pansy, and Banded Awl.

Flora and Fauna 

Flora and Fauna at Sunder Nursery

Protecting perishing natural landscapes, the Nursery is a world-class urban garden that is an assortment of 4,500 trees serving as an important territory for birds, bees, and 54 diversity of flowers. The garden is split up into astonishing heritage and eco trails. Strolling through one of them, you would come across the exclusive Pink Cedar in Delhi. Distant from native plants like shisham, amrood and chalta, a few of the exotic species set up in this Nursery are badminton ball tree, tun, Brazilian ironwood, whistling pines, and Colville’s glory.

Even though the Nursery spotlights lovingly nurtured beds of Sweet Alyssum, pansy, and chrysanthemums, one of the greatly gorgeous portions of the garden is the new Rose Garden. You can discover the diversity of colorful roses like tata pink, the black pearl, and folklore among different species. It is common to behold unusual Asiatic bees flying these beds in joy. This Nursery is furthermore the exclusive place in the city where oriental magpies, Ultramarine Flycatchers, starlings, Black Drongo, and tailorbirds fly free in their natural habitat. Indian silverbills and herons constantly enjoy in the sun while watching fish at the lake.

Sunder Nursery’s Biodiversity Zone

Sunder Nursery’s Biodiversity Zone

While 20 acres of the garden are utilized for cultivating nursery beds, another 30 have been devoted to establishing a biological diversity zone. This Nursery is an assortment of 4 diverse micro-habitat zones with sections showcasing Delhi’s heritage monuments and ecological prosperity. These zones imitate Delhi’s original landscape - Kohi (ridge), Bangar (alluvial soil), Khadar (riverine), and Dabar (marshland).

Things to Do at Sunder Nursery

Purchase Plants:

Purchase potted plants:

From minor saplings to full-grown decorative plants, this Nursery trades an abundance of beautiful flowering plants and seeds. The sales corner forever meets the eye at the gate with kaleidoscopic colors of green, lavender, yellow, and red. You would be astonished by the spectacle of their exhibition of indoor, outdoor, and air purifying plants. Roses, tulips, dahlias, and poppies are all traded at bargain-basement rates.

Have a Picnic:

Have a Picnic

You can relish a leisurely getaway within the region of this Nursery. There are an abundance of established, shady lakeside places where families cherish to unravel a picnic, watch fishes play in the pond, and take nature strolls. Pets are also welcome to walk on a leash.

Photography:

Photography:

As one of Delhi’s top green eco-zones, this Nursery proposes a diverse and aesthetic environment for your videos and pictures. Distant from guests and nature lovers taking unforgettable pictures home, you would come across wedding photoshoots and even movies being filmed.

Historical excursions:

Historical excursions:

This Nursery is the most popular location for educational trips about the past. The well-maintained buildings, Mughal monuments, and murals at this Nursery propose profound understandings of the nation's past. Most significantly, all the monuments in the garden remain in their original conditions since they were constructed in Imperial Delhi.

Biodiversity Walks:

Biodiversity Walks:

This Nursery makes botany lovers, ornithologists, and animal aficionadi go crazy with its bountiful resources of flora and fauna. You can spend an afternoon classifying the plants, animals, and birds you glimpse or explore the library at the Interpretation Centre for details of the garden.

Places to visit near Sunder Nursery

humayun tomb

You can visit the adjoining Humayun Tomb or relish a Thursday Qawwali session at close by Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah. If you have extra time in hand, stop by Millennium Park Delhi, National Zoological Park, Purana Qila, National Science Centre, National Handicrafts, and Handlooms Museum.

Sunder Nursery Timings

  • 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Everyday

Sunder Nursery Ticket Price

  • Adult

Adults: INR- 40/-

SAARC Citizens: INR- 40/-

  • Child

All children under 13 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Free For Children under 5 Years

5-12 years: INR- 20/- *

 *Only applicable to Indian children

  • Senior citizens

Senior citizens above the age of 60 years: INR- 20/-*

* Only applicable to Indias.

  • Foreign Tourists

Foreign Tourists: INR- 200/-

Entry Free: For differently-abled guests, and Children below 5 years.

Parking Fee:

Car Parking- INR- 75/- for 4 hours on weekdays & INR- 100/- for 4 hours on Sundays and declared holidays.

Two Wheeler: INR- 35/-* For Four Hours

Sunder Nursery Location

Lajpat Nagar Metro Station

Sunder Nursery is situated in the Nizamuddin area of New Delhi, opposite Humayun's Tomb.

Nearest Metro: Lajpat Nagar Metro Station (Pink line and violet line)

Bus: 522, 543A, 413, 433, 727, 611, 611A