Sunder Nursery: Delhi’s Emerald Heritage Garden

In the heart of New Delhi breathes this spectacular Sunder Nursery. This nursery is situated near the historic Humayun’s Tomb. This is a heritage park spread in a vast area of 90 acres that holds perfectly history, culture, and nature in its lap.

The park was originally established as an experimental nursery for the British in the 20th century, although now it has been turned as a public space to provide peaceful escape from the city’s chaos.

Sunder Nursery Quick Facts

Before we go deep, let me give you guys a quick look at Sunder Nursery in one simple table. I have checked these facts from official and trusted sources.

Detail	Information
Location	Next to Humayun’s Tomb, Nizamuddin, New Delhi 110013
Total area	90 acres (around 36 hectares)
Old name	Azim Bagh (Bagh-e-Azeem)
Monuments	15 heritage monuments, 6 of them carry the UNESCO World Heritage tag
Restored by	Aga Khan Trust for Culture with CPWD, ASI and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (MoU signed in 2007)
Landscape design	Late M. Shaheer (Shaheer Associates)
Opened as heritage park	February 2018 (inaugurated on 21 February 2018)
Trees	Almost 300 tree species, Delhi’s first arboretum
Big honours	TIME World’s Greatest Places 2018, UNESCO Award of Excellence 2020
Official website	sundernursery.org

Source: Delhi Tourism, Wikipedia and The Best in Heritage.

Why should you visit the Sunder Nursery?

Sunder Nursery is not just a beautiful public space but it is a model for sustainable urban development. This project is focused on conservation, sustainability, and community engagement.

One not only enjoys the peaceful time here but also engages with the new idea of future urban green spaces where you can witness.

Now let’s learn more about Sunder Nursery, up close.

Architectural Beauty of Sunder Nursery

Sunder Nursery holds important not only for the sustainable approach, but also because of the rare architectural beauty it conserves. It has a great influence architecturally from the Mughal era of India.

Preservation of Mughal-era Monuments

Sunder Nursery complex has around 15 historical monuments, giving the space a historical contrast, and six among these are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

You can witness these fine examples of early Mughal architecture. The notable monuments present here are Sunder Burj and Lakkarwala Burj, which are two elegant tombs with intricate plasterwork and geometric patterns.

These tombs can look familiar to the Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb as in common they all have the Persian and Timurid influences.

One more thing I want to tell you guys. As per the Aga Khan Development Network, Sunder Nursery is partly included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb. Six of these 15 monuments got the World Heritage tag after the conservation work. Honestly, I think this is a very big achievement for a place which was almost in ruins few years back.

Charbagh Design

The Nursery is designed with the inspiration of the Charbagh concept, it literally means a four-part garden generally divided by walkways and flowing water, mimicking the Islamic version of a Paradise.

Excellence in Architectural Restoration

The conservation success in the Sunder nursery is globally recognised for using traditional materials and techniques, such as lime mortar, hand-crafted sandstone repairs, and accurate geometrical restorations — instead of opting for modern substitutes.

This thoughtful approach helps the visitors experience the monuments almost as they would have appeared centuries ago.

Jalis (Stone Lattices)

Monuments in the park feature delicate stone lattice screens, these are called Jalis, which are intricately carved allowing filtered light and creating beautiful patterns inside tomb chambers.

These Jalis were not just beautiful ornaments but also a functional addition that allows air circulation.

Ornamental Plasterwork

Inside the tombs, remnants of painted stucco and plaster decoration are visible to the day. These designs often include arabesques, floral motifs, and Quranic calligraphy.

Symmetry and Proportion

Symmetry was an important element in Mughal architecture — everything in the nursery from the layout of the garden to the placement of tombs follows strict symmetrical lines which reflect an early phase of this tradition, later perfected in masterpieces like Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal.

Contemporary additions

With the focus on preservation of the historical monuments, contemporary architectural additions have also been made like the Amphitheatre, lake, and flower beds, which enhance the coexistence of new and old design principles.

Biodiversity Hotspot

Apart from the historical importance, the nursery is a thriving ecological space, it has over 300 species of trees, and many among them are rare and endangered. The park is intentionally designed with micro-habitats that attract more than 80 species of birds and countless butterflies.

It is indeed a paradise for someone who loves nature, photography and birdwatchers.

Also guys, Sunder Nursery is known as Delhi’s first arboretum, which means a garden made specially for trees. As per the AKTC project report, it has the largest number of tree species in any park of Delhi. A green stretch from here also continues to the National Zoological Park next door, so peacocks and many other birds get a safe home here. I really love this part because in a busy city like Delhi, such a big green patch is very rare.

Modern-Day Charm

With the completion of the grand revitalization project, in 2018. Sunder Nursery has become a cultural hub for Delhi’s residents and visitors alike, the place hosts:

Art installations
Weekend farmers’ markets
Open-air concerts
Yoga and meditation sessions
Educational workshops for children

Also, the elegant cafes make it a favourite hotspot for families, students and other tourists.

As per the official website, there are also guided walks and tours, a children play zone, a model farm, public art and even a bee conservation area. So if you are coming with kids, then trust me they will not get bored here.

A brief timeline of Sunder Nursery

16th Century (Mughal Invasion)

Initially this area was a part of a grand Mughal- garden, and several monuments and tombs were built here.

1910s–1920s (British Domination)

During the construction of New Delhi under British architect Edwin Lutyens, the government needed plants and trees for landscaping the new capital. At the time this area was converted into a plant nursery by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). And later on it became known as Sunder Nursery, named partly after the nearby Sunder Burj monument.

1940s–2000s

Over time, the historic monuments were neglected and fell into ruin. Local communities still used it and the space was growing trees, but it was not maintained as a formal public space.

2007

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) launched a major restoration project to:

Conserve the monuments
Revive the Mughal-style gardens
Create a world-class heritage park

2018-Today

Sunder Nursery was officially opened to the public as a Heritage Park. Now it is a UNESCO-supported project as part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative.

2020

Sunder Nursery won two awards from UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific office in December 2020. These were the Award of Excellence and the Special Recognition for Sustainable Development, as per the AKDN press release.

Sunder Nursery Timings and Ticket Price (2026)

Now guys, let me tell you the most asked thing, the timings and ticket price. For this update I checked the official ticket page and the official timing page of Sunder Nursery.

The park is open all 7 days of the week. In summer it opens from 7 am to 10 pm, and the last entry is at 9 pm. Timings can change in winter or on special event days, so I will suggest you to check the official page one time before going.

Visitor Type	Entry Fee
Indian / SAARC adults	₹50
Children (5 to 12 years)	₹25 (only for Indian children)
Children below 5 years	Free
Foreign tourists	₹200
Differently-abled visitors	Free
Car parking (4 hours)	₹100 on weekdays, ₹200 on Sundays and gazetted holidays
Two-wheeler parking (4 hours)	₹35

If you go to Sunder Nursery very often, then you can also take the annual pass from the official website. I think it is a good deal for morning walkers who lives nearby.

How to Reach Sunder Nursery

Sunder Nursery is very easy to reach because it is in the center of Delhi, right next to Humayun’s Tomb.

By Metro: As per Delhi Tourism, the nearest metro station is JLN Stadium on the Violet Line. Another Delhi Tourism page also mentions Jangpura on the same Violet Line. From both stations you can take an auto or cab for the last part.
By Train: Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station is the closest big railway station to the park.
By Air: Indira Gandhi International Airport is around 16 km away, as per India Cine Hub.
By Road: Since the park is just beside Humayun’s Tomb, any cab or auto driver will easily find it.

If you ask me, metro plus a short auto ride is the cheapest and fastest way, especially on weekends when parking gets full.

Awards and Recognition of Sunder Nursery

Honestly guys, for a park which opened only in 2018, Sunder Nursery has already won some very big honours.

Year	Award / Recognition	Given By
2018	Listed among the 100 World’s Greatest Places	TIME Magazine
2020	Award of Excellence (Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation)	UNESCO
2020	Special Recognition for Sustainable Development	UNESCO

As per the AKDN press release, the Award of Excellence is the highest level in the conservation category of these UNESCO awards. The jury liked that the project did not only save old buildings but also brought back the nature of the whole site. I really like this approach, because here heritage and nature both are going together.

Places to Visit Near Sunder Nursery

If you are planning a full day trip, then you can easily add these places with Sunder Nursery:

Humayun’s Tomb: It is just next door. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 1560s and it is the first garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah: The famous Sufi shrine of the Nizamuddin area, very close to the park.
Qutb Minar: If you love Indo-Islamic architecture, then this tall minaret in Mehrauli is a must see.
Garden of Five Senses: Another lovely garden of Delhi for nature lovers.
Chhatarpur Temple: A big and beautiful temple complex in South Delhi.

My Personal Tips for Visiting Sunder Nursery

Go early in the morning. The light is soft and the park is less crowded, so it is best for photography and bird watching.
October to March is the best time to visit, because Delhi weather is pleasant in these months.
Wear comfortable shoes. The park is 90 acres and you will walk a lot.
Carry a water bottle and cap in summer.
Planning a professional photoshoot? Then first read the Dos and Don’ts and photography rules on the official website.
Do not miss the inside of Sunder Burj. The painted ceiling work there is really beautiful, I think it is the best part of the park.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the entry fee of Sunder Nursery?

For Indian and SAARC adults the entry fee is ₹50, for children of 5 to 12 years it is ₹25, and for foreign tourists it is ₹200, as per the official website.

2. What are the Sunder Nursery timings?

The park is open all 7 days from 7 am. In summer it stays open till 10 pm, with last entry at 9 pm.

3. Which is the nearest metro station to Sunder Nursery?

JLN Stadium and Jangpura, both on the Violet Line, are the nearest metro stations.

4. Who restored Sunder Nursery?

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture restored it with CPWD, ASI and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, after an MoU signed in 2007.

5. Is Sunder Nursery a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Partly, yes. Sunder Nursery is partly included in the World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb, and six of its 15 monuments carry the World Heritage tag.

Final Words

So guys, this was all about Sunder Nursery, Delhi’s emerald heritage garden. I have tried to cover its history, architecture, biodiversity, timings, ticket price and how to reach it. If you ask me, this is one of the best place in Delhi where you get history and nature both at one place. Keep on visiting The Indian Architecture for more such blogs.

Also Read:

Sources

Last Updated: October 20, 2026

Sunder Nursery: Delhi’s Emerald Heritage Garden | A Must-Visit Green Escape