Architectural
splendour Rashtrapati Bhavan is the home of President of India. It is located
in New Delhi to the west of Rajpath. Built on 330 acre of land it consists of
340 rooms includes president’s house, offices, guest rooms and halls. The Bhavan is surrounded by beautiful greenery and garden. Built around Raisina
Hills, it is surrounded by North and South secretariat,
Parliament house, India gate. Rashtrapati Bhavan also consists of a beautiful garden
called as Mughal gardens which are open to public from Feb to Mar every year.
The garden is spread over an area of 150 acres which consists of different varieties
of roses, Bounganvilla, Ayurvedic medicinal plants and many more varieties of
plants.
Rashtrapati
Bhavan was designed by Edward Lutyens. The end of Mughal rule and the east
India Company completely taking control over India it was decided to shift
the capital from Kolkata to Delhi. It was decided to build a residence to
British viceroy in Delhi. The construction was completed in the year 1929 under the architect
Edward Lutyens. Lutyens travelled every year for 20 years to personally look
into the construction of the viceroy residence.
Rashtrapati Bhavan consists of two main halls called as Durbar hall and Ashoka Hall which is used for functions and other purposes. Durbar hall is a beautiful dome structure situated in the main building. The dome is 23 metres in diameter is beautified with various coloured marbles. Durbar hall has a space to accommodate close to 500 people. Jawahar Lal Nehru took oath as prime minister of India from British on August 15th 1947 in this hall. This hall was known as “Throne room” before independence which was having two separate thrones for Viceroy and Vicerine. Now it has one huge chair for the president. At the four corners of the hall it has two drawing rooms, the state supper room and state library.
Ashoka hall is another hall which was originally built as a state ball room with wooden flooring. On the western side of the Bhavan are the raised Mughal gardens.
Different
Indian designs were included while doing the construction. There is a
traditional chujja(a cover of a roof). It was a sharp thin protruding from the
building which prevented sunlight from entering and also shields rain entering
inside during monsoon season. Another Indian design used is ‘jallis’ made of
red sandstone. These jallis are made in geometrical shape with floral design on
it which beautifies the Bhavan even more. Rashtrapati Bhavan is blended with European
and Indian style of art and architecture. The most beautiful structure of the Bhavan
is the dome which was inspired by the sanchi stupa. Mughal garden further
enhances the beauty of the Bhavan. A visit to Delhi means one has to
plan well before to visit the different circuits in the Rashtrapati Bhavan
along with India gate.
The premises is divided into three circuits
Circuit 1 is the main building of the Bhavan along with the central lawn which opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to the public.
Circuit 2 is the Rashtrapati museum complex which comprises clock tower, stables and the garages. This is open on all days except on Monday.
Circuit
3 is the Mughal garden and other gardens of the Bhavan which are open august to
march on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Mughal garden is open from February till March.
Visiting hours: From 9am till 4pm
Entrance: entry to Rashtrapati Bhavan is from Gate 2 (Rajpath) Gate 37 (Dalhousie road) and Gate 38 (Church road)
Important documents required: Indian citizens are required to keep a valid photo identity card. In case of foreigners they need to make a prior request along with a copy of their passport.. On the day of their visit the foreign citizens are required to carry the original passport along with them.
Further details are available at http://rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in/rbtour
For any further information or queries please contact
No. :011- 23013287, 23015321 Extn.4662; Fax No.
011- 23015246; Email: reception-officer@rb.nic.in
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