Rashtrapati Bhawan

Think about the spring season. What’s the first thing that pops up in your mind? Is it Flowers?

What better way to bid the winter blues goodbye than watch colourful flowers bloom around, not just a few but more than 10,000 – all in one big place…I meant palace! And that palace is situated on top of the famous Raisina Hill and is known as the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The soul of this former viceroy’s residence lies in its ornate architecture, its history, and the famous Mughal gardens.

So read on and mark your calendar for the famous Udyanotsav which will be inaugurated by our Honourable President Shri Ram Nath Kovind on 6^th February 2020 (*Tentative dates).

The Mughal gardens

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1917, The Mughal gardens in Rashtrapati Bhawan are a tribute to the gardens in Jammu and Kashmir which go by the same name. Rows of brightly coloured flowers spreading across the lawn are a delight to sore eyes and a warm welcome to the spring!

Credit: Architectural Digest India

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When to visit?

Honourable President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the royal gardens as part of the ‘Udyanotsav’ on 6^th February 2020 and the Mughal gardens will be open to the public eye starting from 6^th February 2020 to 10^th March 2020 between 9 am to 4 pm.

Note: The garden will be accessible all days except Monday for maintenance reasons.

How to reach?

• Nearest metro station to Rashtrapati Bhawan: Central Secretariat
• Entry gate for the public: Gate no. 35
• Entry fee: It’s free!

Credit: PTI

What’s so special to see?

• The gardens boast about 159 celebrated varieties of roses which include, Adora Mrinalini, Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Modern Art, Scentimental, Oklahoma (also called black rose) Belami and many others. The garden also houses roses named after people of national and international fame such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, John F. Kennedy, Jawahar, Mother Teresa, and Queen Elizabeth amongst many others.

• Apart from roses and other varieties of flowers to overwhelm your senses, around 10,000 tulip bulbs in a variety of colours have been imported from the Netherlands to be cultivated in the Mughal gardens are expected to be in full bloom during February.

Credit: The Week

• The dominant colour scheme for the flowers adorning the gardens this year comprises of red, orange, yellow and white, read a statement from Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• Along with access to the Spiritual Garden, Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden and the Musical Garden the public can see the ‘Cacti Corner’ adorned with interesting prickly varieties of cactus.

• Air purifying plants will be showcased in front of gate no. 8 and there will be an exhibition stall with fresh organic fruits and vegetables grown in the very own President’s Estate Organic Farm.

• The Mughal gardens will exclusively welcome special visitors like farmers, differently abled people, defence/paramilitary forces and Delhi Police personnel on 11^th March 2019 from 9 am to 4 pm.

• Along with a direct walk in, a free online booking facility has been introduced starting this year using the following links.

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So grab your camera lenses and visit the best flower exhibit in town from 9^th February 2020 to 10^th March 2020 in the majestic Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan.