MAHATMA GANDHI PARK

The Mahatma Gandhi Park is situated on Church Mission Road just near Chandni Chowk but is closer to the Old Delhi Railway Station and hence is easily accessible by local transport and from Delhi Main Metro Station.

The Mahatma Gandhi Park is a very small park that lies just behind the Town Hall building in Old Delhi. Though small, the park is of historical significance as it was originally developed during the early 19th Century when India was ruled by the British Raj. It was called by Indians and the British as the ‘Company Bagh’ as it was constructed by the British Government of the East India Company established in India during the British period.

The ‘Company Bagh’ or ‘Company Park’ was an integral part of the daily lives of the British, Europeans and High profiled Indian Society Class of people living around this area in Old Delhi who spent most of their leisure time strolling around within the well trimmed green lawns of the park and also enjoy the serene ambience under the shady trees planted within the park that were well maintained by the British during that era. It served as an outdoor recreational facility and venue for them to spend time playing their favourite Cricket sports which later on spread across India like a hurricane and today is considered as one of the most viewed, loved and played sports in India.

Post Independence of India in 1947, the ‘Company Bagh’ was renamed as the ‘Mahatma Gandhi Park’ in honour of a great leader and Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi aka Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar which is a small town in Gujarat. During the course of his law practice in South Africa, he faced discrimination by the Foreigners for being an Indian and realised the need to protest against the injustice and prejudice faced by Indians in foreign countries. He soon participated in numerous ‘Revolt’ movements in South Africa and returned to India where he witnessed similar injustice and discrimination. He then pioneered the Satyagraha or ‘Truth’ movements along with ‘Ahinsa’ or ‘Non-violence’ movements which proved as the main driving force of Indians through which Independence was finally achieved in 1947.

In order to pay tribute to this great leader, the Park has a statue of Mahatma Gandhi erected within the premises of the park. It also forms an excellent venue for cultural and social events which completely transforms this small area into a dazzling atmosphere of lights especially at night. It also forms an excellent place to spend a peaceful and pleasant time alone or with friends from the hectic rush of a city life and especially during summer seasons where people can take respite from the scorching heat of Delhi under the shady trees and green lawns of this Park. Tourists can also take advantage of the beautiful serene atmosphere of the park by relaxing under the tall trees after visiting the nearby attractions of Old Delhi and a tiring day of sightseeing.

The Mahatma Gandhi Park is opened to public and visitors only on Sundays and remains closed on all other days. However, you can politely request the caretaker of the Park to let you in for a short period of time just to take a glimpse of the park which he will definitely oblige.