Mughal Gardens ready to usher in visitors

This year, visitors to the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan will have a whole new experience. To be opened to the public on Tuesday, the annual affair is being christened as the ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan Udyanotsav’. And not without reason.

This year, visitors to the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan will have a whole new experience. To be opened to the public on Tuesday, the annual affair is being christened as the ‘Rashtrapati Bhavan Udyanotsav’. And not without reason.

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Nature lovers will not only be able to feast their eyes on rare varieties of colourful flowers such as roses, lillies, tulips and double pansies, they can also take home a variety of souvenirs and gifts from the curio shop being set up for the first time this year.

“We have added several new elements for visitors, and so we are celebrating the opening of the Mughal Gardens as a festival this year. At the curio shop, visitors will be able to buy a variety of souvenirs, ranging from key chains to ties, caps and t-shirts, all etched with the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt and building. Visitors will also get information through an audio-visual presentation on the President’s environmental initiative, the Roshni Programme,” said Archana Datta , OSD ( PR) to the President.

Another special attraction this year will be Vertical Garden (a new concept of developing a green/floral wall) and a Bonsai Garden with 200 plants and a Cactus Corner. Besides, vegetables grown in the President’s Gardens will also be on display.

The majestic Mughal Gardens cover an area of 15 acres, consisting of three parts. The first part is the Rectangular Garden, divided into four quarters, each with terraced gardens on either side. The Central Lawn is the venue of numerous receptions and ‘At Homes’ hosted by the President.

The Central Lawn is covered by doob grass originally brought from the Belvedere Estate in Kolkata, when it was initially laid.

The second part is the Long Garden, which is enclosed inside walls of about 12 feet high and is predominantly a Rose Garden with 16 square rose beds, encased in low hedges. The third part is the Circular Garden.

“The Biodiversity Park, which has deer, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowls, peacocks, turtles, parakeets, rabbits and migratory birds, is another special feature this year,” said Datta.

The Mughal Gardens will be open to the general public on all days from February 15 to March 16, from 10am to 5pm except on Mondays.

New attractions

A curio shop selling ties, caps and t-shirts

An audio-visual presentation on the President’s environmental initiative

Entry is from Gate 35 and is free

The Gardens will be open all days from February 15 to March 16, from 10am to 5pm