Quick answer: The Garden of Five Senses is a 20-acre landscaped park at Said-ul-Ajaib, off the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road in south Delhi, about 2 km from the Qutub Minar. Delhi Tourism opened it in February 2003 and designed it to appeal to sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. As of October 2026, Delhi Tourism lists tickets at ₹50 for adults and ₹20 for children and senior citizens; it does not publish clear opening hours, so check before you go.
Garden of Five Senses at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Said-ul-Ajaib, Mehrauli-Badarpur (M.B.) Road, south of Saket, New Delhi |
| Run by | Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) |
| Entry fee (Delhi Tourism, October 2026) | Adults ₹50; children ₹20; senior citizens ₹20; camera ₹100 plus GST |
| Open | Daily, according to Delhi Tourism; hours not published, so check before visiting |
| Nearest metro | Saket (Yellow Line) |
| Best time to visit | October to March; February for the Garden Tourism Festival |
| Time needed | Two to three hours |
Delhi Tourism’s page for the garden still carries an old COVID-19 notice about public entry and a listing for the 2021 Garden Tourism Festival. Because parts of the page are out of date, confirm the ticket price and hours with Delhi Tourism or at the gate before you plan a trip around them.
About the Garden of Five Senses
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) built the garden as a public leisure space where people could relax, meet and explore. It was designed by the Delhi architect Pradeep Sachdeva, took about three years to build and was opened in February 2003. Delhi Tourism gives the site’s area as about 20.5 acres.
The site is partly rocky ridge and partly level ground. Where the land was rocky, the designers worked with the boulders instead of clearing them, and large areas of existing vegetation, mainly kikar trees and thorny ber bushes, were left untouched. Around 200 varieties of plants were added.
Why is it called the Garden of Five Senses?
The garden is laid out to stir all five senses. Colour and form appeal to sight; flowering and fragrant plants along the Trail of Fragrance appeal to smell; ceramic chimes and running water appeal to hearing; stone sculptures and textured surfaces invite touch; and the food court takes care of taste.
What to see
- Entrance plaza and spiral walkway: Stainless-steel birds on slate-clad pillars greet visitors, and a spiral walkway climbs the natural slope.
- Stone elephants: A group of elephants carved in stone, shown bathing in water, is one of the garden’s best-known sights.
- Khas Bagh: A formal garden laid out on the lines of a Mughal garden, with water flowing through channels and fountains along a central axis, some lit at night.
- Neel Bagh: A pool of water lilies ringed by pergolas covered with climbing plants.
- Colour gardens and specimen courts: Beds of flowering shrubs, plus courts of bamboo, cacti and herbs.
- Public art: About 25 sculptures and murals are spread across the garden, which Delhi Tourism describes as one of the largest collections of public art in the country.
- Labná Arch replica: A replica of the Mayan Labná Arch from Yucatán, Mexico, built in Rajasthan stone as a gesture of India-Mexico friendship, was unveiled here on 16 September 2013.
- Solar Energy Park: Delhi Tourism says the garden’s solar energy park, with exhibits such as solar-powered vehicles, earned it a place in the Limca Book of Records in 2004.
- Amphitheatre and exhibition area: Sandstone seating set into the slope is used for cultural programmes, and an open area at the back hosts art displays and workshops.
An earlier version of this article said that the Khas Bagh copies the gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Delhi Tourism describes it more generally as a formal garden in the Mughal style.
Events and the Garden Tourism Festival
The garden is one of Delhi’s busiest venues for outdoor events. The Delhi Government’s annual Garden Tourism Festival is held here, usually in February, along with food festivals, melas and other cultural programmes at different times of the year. Delhi Tourism also takes space bookings for private and public events; contact the corporation in advance if you want to hold one.
Best time to visit
The most comfortable months are October to March, when Delhi’s weather is mild and the flower beds are at their best. February is worth aiming for if you want to see the Garden Tourism Festival. From April to June, temperatures in Delhi are very high, so go early or late in the day. The monsoon months of July to September bring heat and humidity along with the rain.
An earlier version of this article recommended July to October as the best time to visit. That period includes the hot and humid monsoon, so the advice has been changed.
How to reach
- Metro: Saket station on the Yellow Line is the nearest. From there, take an auto-rickshaw to the gate on the M.B. Road side.
- Road: The garden is just off the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, south of Saket. Taxis and auto-rickshaws can drop you at the entrance.
- Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport, connected to the city by road and by the Airport Express and other metro lines.
An earlier version of this article said Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station is “a few kilometres” from the garden. It is in a different part of the city, so that line has been removed.
Tips for visitors
- Wear comfortable shoes; the paths climb and wind over rocky ground.
- Carry water and a cap in the warmer months; some areas have little shade.
- Pay the camera charge at the counter if you plan to use a camera, as listed by Delhi Tourism.
- Keep the garden clean: use the bins and avoid bringing single-use plastic.
- Do not climb on the sculptures or pick flowers.
Nearby places
The garden sits close to the Mehrauli heritage area. The Qutub Minar complex is about 2 km away, and the ruined Tomb of Balban lies in Mehrauli Archaeological Park next to it. Towards Saket and Malviya Nagar is the Tughlaq-era Khirki Mosque. If you enjoy Delhi’s gardens, also see Lodhi Gardens, where Sayyid and Lodi tombs stand among the lawns.
Frequently asked questions
What is the entry fee for the Garden of Five Senses?
As of October 2026, Delhi Tourism lists ₹50 for adults and ₹20 for children and senior citizens, with a camera charge of ₹100 plus GST. Confirm at the gate, as the official page has not been fully updated.
Who designed the Garden of Five Senses?
The garden was designed by Delhi architect Pradeep Sachdeva and developed by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. It opened in February 2003.
Which metro station is closest to the Garden of Five Senses?
Saket on the Yellow Line. The garden is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the station.
When is the Garden Tourism Festival held?
The Delhi Government usually holds its annual Garden Tourism Festival at the Garden of Five Senses in February. Check Delhi Tourism for each year’s dates.
How much time do you need at the Garden of Five Senses?
Two to three hours is enough for a relaxed walk around the main areas, with time for the food court.
Details checked in October 2026 against Delhi Tourism’s pages for the Garden of Five Senses and published records of the garden’s design and history. Ticket prices and hours can change, so check with Delhi Tourism before you visit.
