Venue: Sector 29, Gurgaon

It is perhaps goodbye winter time. But we can still expect some more weeks of good weather. A leisurely activity in this season could be a visit to Kingdom of Dreams, also popular as KOD.

Kingdom of Dreams is an Indian culture theme park based on a mixed Indian theme with a heavy dose of Bollywood. Located at a walkable distance from IIFCO Chowk metro station in Gurgaon, this place has adequate and organised car parking system.

Kingdom of Dreams is all about grandeur. The moment you enter, you realise it is a majestic make believe royal world. It can crudely be distinguished into three sections.

An Indian food court in a gully

First, the Culture Gully. When one enters, the initial reaction is of surprise given the sky simulated ceiling. The depiction is so realistic that the visitor can jolly well mistake it for real sky. The ambient light gives the area a perpetually dreamy look. So much so that one forgets the actual time of the day. At the core, Culture Gully is a food court and shopping area. The food court has state based stalls with tables and chairs set at the centre. Additionally there are a cluster of state based restaurants (Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu etc) serving excellent food with a fine dining ambiance. To cater to wider choices, there are tea and coffee places as well as bars.

Shopping at Kingdom of Dreams

There are also stores that carry craft based items and souvenirs, e.g. we came across all sorts of printed mugs. In fact, a Kathakali face painted mug epitomised the modern yet traditional cultural milieu of contemporary India. The handicraft items that these stores carry are not unique but ooze quality.

A perfect place for children

Towards the end of the Culture Gully there is a simulated Goa beach with sand which is a play area for children. It has slides and an artificial tree house, ladders etc. KOD can be a suitable option for weekend fun with children.

Random shows like street performances keep happening in this area and the visitors can also shake a leg with the performers.

Camel rides inside the park are also a popular attraction with kids.

Auditorium for plays

Next is the Nautanki Mahal. Designed like a grand palace of the maharajas, this is a huge auditorium that stages theatre produced by KOD (Zangoora, Jhumroo etc.) as well as productions by others. The hi-tech audi is quite an experience that can be compared with Broadway in New York.

The Amphitheatre

The third section is the amphitheatre – Showshaa Theatre. With an impressive seating capacity out in the open, this is a popular venue in Gurgaon for a host of cultural activities.

The entry ticket of Rs. 600 + per head may seem a little steep but it can be redeemed in exchange of food and beverages at the venue.