In the middle of bustling, noisy cities where traffic hums in the background, keeping you company night and day, people seem to rush past each other in a blur. It’s so easy to forget what silence feels like in those moments. Sometimes, all one wants is to take a deep breath and pause for a minute. Not a dramatic escape, but just exist in the present, to gather their thoughts, live a little without hurry, and feel something softer than urgency. And while cities can exhaust you with their constant movement and noise, they also offer secret corners of stillness hidden in plain sight. From historic courtyards to underground art galleries, community libraries to bookstores that double as sanctuaries, here are spaces that remind us that even in chaos, stillness can be found.
Rajeev Sethi’s Library, Delhi
Tucked away in the heart of Delhi, this personal library of celebrated designer and curator Rajeev Sethi is a living, breathing archive of culture and craft. The space itself feels like stepping into someone’s mind: full of ideas, stories, and objects carefully chosen over decades. It's open to the public every day, and when you get a chance to visit, it will invite you to slow down and absorb. There’s an intimate hush in the air, the kind that belongs to places that hold time gently. With every corner curated with intention, the library has a lot of stories to tell.
Amdavad ni Gufa, Ahmedabad
A surreal underground art gallery designed by celebrated architect B.V. Doshi and housing the work of artist M.F. Husain, Amdavad ni Gufa feels like walking into a dream. Built to resemble a cave, the undulating walls and filtered light give it a calm that’s rare in the city above. The space is cool and quiet, lit by shafts of natural light, and its organic structure encourages you to sit still, lie back, or just look up. Art doesn’t demand attention here; it is all around you, patiently waiting. Despite being in the heart of Ahmedabad, the Gufa/cave exists in its world, muffling the outside noise like a protective shell around contemplation.
Forest of Knowledge, Mumbai
Nestled within the Cricket Club of India, the Forest of Knowledge is any reader’s dreamscape. Redesigned by studioHINGE in 2023, the space evokes the feeling of being deep inside a forest: tall, tree-like arches stretch overhead, books curve around corners like winding pathways, and reading feels like sitting beneath a ficus canopy, minus the ants. With movable shelves that form intimate alcoves and 55,000 books to disappear into, the library is as much a social space as a silent one. It welcomes children and adults alike, whether you’re hunting for a quiet corner to read or joining a conversation around shared ideas. It’s one of the rare places in Mumbai that allows you to both be alone and feel connected, all at once.
Conflictorium, Ahmedabad
An unusual and powerful museum, the Conflictorium explores themes of conflict, resistance, and social transformation. But despite the weight of these ideas, the space itself invites quiet contemplation rather than noise. Set inside a restored heritage house, it offers immersive installations, a Memory Lab filled with whispered recordings, and a “Sorry Tree” where visitors can tie notes of apology.
Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Kolkata
Once home to poet Rabindranath Tagore, Jorasanko is as much a piece of Bengal’s soul as it is a physical space. The stately red mansion holds remnants of the Tagore family’s vast cultural legacy, rooms filled with old furniture, faded photographs, and handwritten letters. But what truly stands out is the stillness. The courtyards bloom with quiet grace, and the echo of poetry seems to linger in the air. Wandering through this historic home, you don’t just see artefacts, you feel a presence. It’s a place where the past breathes gently, allowing you to rest in its memory.
Atta Galatta, Bangalore
Hidden in the leafy lanes of Koramangala, Atta Galatta is a beloved cultural cocoon for Bangalore’s creatives. The walls are lined with books in multiple Indian languages, and the space often hosts poetry readings, writing workshops, and intimate performances. But you don’t need an event to feel at home here. People come to read, to write, to sit with coffee and conversations. It’s the kind of place where you lose track of time—where silence isn’t empty, but full of thought.
Words Harita Odedara
Date 12.05.2025
