The site was originally established in 1913 by the British as a nursery to trial plants for New Delhi's garden city layout.
It contains six monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The restoration process involved the removal of over 20,000 truckloads of construction debris dumped on the site over previous decades.
The park's design mimics the charbagh (four-fold) layout traditional to Persian garden architecture.
Sunderwala Burj, one of the primary monuments, features an octagonal plan typical of the Suri dynasty period.
The garden hosts an annual heritage festival celebrating local crafts and culinary traditions.
Some of the trees within the nursery are over 100 years old, dating back to its colonial origins.
The site acts as a carbon sink for central New Delhi, absorbing significant amounts of urban air pollutants.
Sunder Nursery is a 90-acre heritage park in New Delhi that integrates 16th-century Mughal-era monuments with a botanical nursery and landscaped gardens. It is home to six UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including the Sunder Burj and Sunderwala Mahal. The site underwent a decade-long restoration project led by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to preserve its heritage and ecological diversity. The grounds feature over 300 tree species, 80 bird species, and 36 butterfly species, making it a critical urban biodiversity hotspot. The central axis is defined by a formal Mughal-style water channel flanked by flower beds and walking paths. The park also hosts a weekend farmers' market and several smaller gardens, including a rose garden and an organic vegetable patch. It serves as an active research site for botanical conservation in the Indian capital.
The central reflecting pools during the golden hour, framed by the Sunderwala Burj.
Bring a reusable water bottle, as the park is a plastic-free zone.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the perimeter is extensive and mostly gravel or paved paths.
Visit the Sunday organic market for locally grown produce and artisanal crafts.
Do not leave food wrappers or trash behind, as the park has a strict cleanliness policy.
Respect the archaeological monuments by not climbing on walls or pillars; maintain quiet behavior near designated bird-watching zones.
