Safdarjang Tomb: from mistake to majesty

March 17, 2012

It's Saturday! Yey! I've been waiting for Saturday to arrive since I planned on going around Delhi, or at least being able to be at another tourist spot or two! Julie, a co-volunteer asked the day before (was it?!) if I would mind if she'd come along. Of course, I said not! It was actually better to have someone with me, walking around in a foreign city!

Look, it's the entrance!!!

Another great thing about walking about with someone is that getting lost is actually more fun, or less disappointing, whichever you would prefer. I guess in my case it was both, since Julie and I decided to explore the Safdarjang (Safdarjung) Tomb, which was on the other end of the road that leads to Humayun's Tomb, our actual target for the day!

Foreigner Entrance Fee: Rs. 100; Indians: Rs. 5 (or 10?!)

Oh well, since we're already there anyway, we just decided to go in here first before heading the other way. I was glad we did!

(the following shots are all exterior/landscape shots)

Framing 101: Gate silhouette + subject = great shot! 

Panorama, tomb and the gardens

Sign Post in the Garden:

Mughal Garden:

The Tomb is positioned as central focus of a Mughal style Garden (Charbagh: 'char' means four and 'bagh' means garden. They are designed as a quadrilateral garden divided into four smaller parts by walkways and water channels laid out withing the walled enclosure. This style of garden is influence by Persian style of garden lay-out.

Too bad there was no flowing water at this time

In this Charbagh garden, three sides of the water channels are linked with water cascades located at the platform of the pavilions. Fourth side has an entrance gateway. Water channels with fountains are centrally placed and they segregate each segment of the garden. Varied indigenous species of trees are planted in each segment of this garden.

It's like a square, symmetrical place with gardens surrounding
the tomb in the center

In Julie's words, "It's lovely". The garden was really nice, even if it didn't have a fountain. If entrance was free like in Lodhi Gardens, she and the other read-a-book-in-the-park guys and gals would have probably walked the extra mile, literally, to get here and stay for a chill afternoon!

Framing 102: tomb + natural trees = another great shot
(ok, I am being vain. hahaha)

View from the tomb to the entrance

The Mosque in the tomb complex
(Mughal emperor = Muslim ruler)

Framing 103: tomb + nature = I just love it!

The garden was well maintained. I can't say the same for the Safdarjang tomb itself. But, it might be looking like it's collapsing in some places on purpose, for a more realistic and aesthetic appeal or something. Really though, it was great walking around in and out, sitting, chatting and eating biscuits and banana. The best!