Lutyen's Bungalow

It was my birthday and I wanted to spend it doing my favourite things – looking at trees, birds and historic monuments. So we tried hard to plan a weekend break in a place which would allow all this – in the same place. When the realization dawned, it was blinding. We had to plan the break in Delhi – where we live!!

Lutyen’s Bungalow is about half a km from Safdarjung’s Tomb and the Amrita Shergill Marg entry of Lodi Garden. It is 2 kms from Humayun’s Tomb and Dilli Haat – which is a single station metro ride. The Jor Bagh metro station is also a short walk away. If you want culture, then India Habitat Center is again about a kilometre long walk along tree-lined roads. Once you are done with rushing from one historic beauty to another and taken in your fill of cultural events, you can spend many lazy hours in the garden.

The bird feeders are contested territory between parakeets and squirrels. We watched their coexistence and occasional spats, with amusement. There are a number of birds, bees and butterflies if you go in this season. There are three pet tortoises and you can feed them carrots at their meal times.

It seemed crazy to spend money and spend a weekend in a place in your own city. But then, if you love the city you live in, it’s a really good idea.