Heritage Walk: Stroll, shop, Sufi sonata at Sunder Nursery

Delhi's Lodhi Gardens, the lungs of the city attract walkers from both back home and expats for tranquility and its lush green long sprawling lawns exuding natural serenity. Now a new such destination even more beautiful has come up in New Delhi, Sunder Nursery . Backpackers and picnickers with a new crush rush to the Nursery as their itinerary beckons insistently to them. Time Magazine has covered and even listed Sunder Nursery among the 100 greatest places in the world.

This is where you could hear a pin drop silence; silence here talks amid giant century old trees and the water flows gurgling and flowers in profusion stay abloom with perfumes wafting and pervading the surroundings still wrapped in sleep at dawn.

Far from the din of urban settings and a life full of monotony, the place helps in relaxing senses. The 16th Century Azim Bagh once lay in a rut, Agha Khan Trust for Culture has revived this 90 acre land with a great makeover holding its sanctity and mysticism intact. This huge carpet of velvety green accommodates six majestic heritage monuments recounting the rich history of the city, landscaped gardens, biodiversity zones, lakes and performance venues. This is also home to exotic birds and opens amidst their chirpings from dawn to dusk.

The amphitheatre has events galore that include storytelling, educational talks, staging skits and performing musical gigs and concerts, particularly Sufi and classical performances. There are a number of stalls selling a variety of spices, vegetables, fruits, teas and oils. After a long stroll, one can have breakfast on an a la carte section with a myriad of sumptuous food and fresh juices to go with them.

One can go shopping as the market offers a range of ethnic wears, khadi Kurti and linen and hand woven pajamas etc.

The nursery recently witnessed some remarkably great performances with compositions based on raga-bandish displayed by singers of the Indian classical genre.

Jasleen Kaur Monga presented gurbani, with mind-soothing effects really mesmerized the audience. The effusive and famed Dhruv Sangari, enchanted the gathering in style with sufi qawwali that took the listeners swaying to next level followed by Awari Basanti.

The event maintained all requisite protocol of COVID 19.

British Council organised the programme on March 21 in association with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

The Nursery opens all days.