Rashtrapati Bhavan

The President of the greatest democracy in the world resides in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which embodies India's power, democratic traditions, and secular nature. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, two exceptionally creative and skilled architects. The H-shaped structure, which spans 5 acres on a 330-acre estate, was designed by Sir Lutyens. This four-story estate includes 340 rooms overall, 2.5 kilometres of hallways, and 190 acres of gardens. The meticulous work of thousands of labourers, including masons, carpenters, artists, carvers, and cutters, saw the 1929 completion of this masterpiece.

Viceroy's House, as it was formerly known, was constructed as the Viceroy of India's home and has since evolved into today's Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is now a representation of Indian democracy and its secular, plural, and inclusive traditions, having formerly served as a symbol of colonial dominance and authority. According to Shri R, "Nature and man, rock and architecture, have rarely come together for such a noble cause as in the fashioning of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan."Venkataraman, a former president of India, with much justification.

Fees of Rs. 50 per guest and per Circuit for registration.

Visitors under the age of eight will not be required to pay any registration fees.

Timings :

• One of the largest mansions ever used to hold a head of state is Rashtrapati Bhavan, a stately palace. Only the Quirinal Palace in Rome, Italy, can compare to the complex's massive size and majestic construction.
• It took 17 arduous years for the project to be finished, and 29,000 builders were employed in the process. The original building plan's foundation was laid in 1912, and the landscaping and construction were completed in 1929.
• The president's office, several guest suites, and staff quarters are among the more than 300 rooms that make up the palace.
• The President's Secretariat employs around 245 of the 750 staff members that make up the Rashtrapati Bhavan personnel unit.
• The Raisina Hill and adjacent plateau are where the house is located. Before it was built, Raisina and Malcha, two settlements, were located nearby. When the Rashtrapati Bhavan was being built, the people were given rehabilitation.
• The residence was formerly known as the Viceroy's House in India before independence. It is thought to be India's biggest home.
• The grounds of these buildings host "Udyanotsav," or "the garden festival," in the month of February, when the neighbouring Mughal Garden is available to tourists.
• A historic statue of Gautama Buddha, a survivor of the Gupta Age, the height of Indian art, is displayed at the back of the Durbar Hall.
• Up to 104 people can be accommodated in the elegant Banquet Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. When a feast is taking place, musicians can perform from secret galleries inside the hall.

New Delhi replaced Kolkata as the nation's capital in 1911. At this time, plans were made to build the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which served as the viceroy's palace for the British in India before independence. A land allotment of 4000 acres was required by the magnificent mansion's layout, which will serve as the viceroy's home.

The project was afterwards assigned to the British architect Edwin Landseer Lutyen. A grandly classical style with several influences from Indian art and architecture was what Lutyen first drew. Additionally, he was originally collaborating with Herbert Baker, a notable British architect.

Regarding the plan, the two disagreed on a number of points, most notably the Viceroy's house's height. In order to make the Viceroy's home visible from a great distance, Lutyen fought to expand the Viceroy's house's outer stretch's inclination grade. But because the Imperial Delhi committee had rejected the remodelling suggestion, Mr. Lutyens' fears came true because the sloping approach from the east obscured the bottom portion of the structure when viewed from a distance.

Due to a budget constraint placed on the building plan by the former viceroy and governor-general of India, Lord Hardinge, the renowned architect was also forced to reduce the building's overall area from the original design. As for Lutyen, he was not renowned for admiring the native Indian construction style and intended to build the viceroy's home totally in accordance with European designs if he had sole discretion.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan's neo-classical architecture is incredibly impressive since it has a number of distinctive Mughal and Indian characteristics. The mansion's size is impressive; it has four levels and 340 rooms, covering a floor space of 200,000 square feet. The Edwardian Baroque era is associated with the architectural style.

Usually, there are a lot of characteristics emphasising imperial power and authority. Most of the Indian designs present in this structure are merely surface-level and decorative due to the distaste of Indian styles by the building's principal architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. The addition of many of the Indian design components came a long time after the building was already constructed, as seen by the numerous circular basins with water features that are on top of the structure.

The "jalis," or perforated screens, are among the mansion's components with a Rajasthani influence. The 'chhajja' or 'chujja' overhanging eaves show stylistic influences from Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. The Indian architectural style dome-shaped pavilions known as "Chhatri," which means canopy, are also abundant inside the complex of buildings.

It's interesting to see that Lutyen added a few of his own embellishments to the home. Two neighbouring ventilator glasses that are designed to resemble the glasses Mr. Lutyen himself used to wear are visible on a portion of the stateroom's outside wall that can be seen from the garden. One of them is a spot in the garden where there are two ventilator glasses built to resemble the spectacles he used to wear on the wall of the next stateroom building!

The Main Building & Central Lawn:Circuit 1 :

The magnificent house's main structure and its Central Lawn are covered in this section. One may view the Forecourt and the most prestigious chambers of the main structure during this trip. One may visit the Banquet Hall, Ashok Hall, Durbar Hall, North Drawing Room, Library, Navachar, Long Drawing Room, among other rooms. On Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, this section of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is accessible.

Forecourt : The Rashtrapati Bhavan's main gates open to the Forecourt, a regal walkway that leads to the main structure. The water channels and trees along the road up to the T-shaped forecourt make for a beautiful image. The national bird may frequently be seen relaxing in the calm of the presidential house Forecourt. The ceremonial greeting of visiting heads of state and governments as well as the changing of the guard take place on the forecourt. Additionally, it served as the location for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers' swearing-in ceremony in May 2014. The Rashtrapati Bhavan Forecourt offered a spectacular scene for the event against the setting sun, attended by thousands of visitors, including Heads of State of many nations.

Highlighting forecourt characteristics :

• The Central Dome : One of Rashtrapati Bhavan's most recognisable features is the Dome that tops the structure. Its top has the National flag flown from it at a height of 55 metres over the Forecourt. The height of the structure is equal to that of the central dome. Chattris, or small pavilion roofs, and inverted half-dome fountains, which surround the dome The only aspect of Rashtrapati Bhavan that can be seen from Vijay Chowk is the Central Dome.
• Jaipur Column : On the Rashtrapati Bhavan Forecourt, approximately 550 feet from the entrance gate, the Jaipur Column is a tall structure that stands at a height of 145 feet. The Jaipur Column was created as a celebration of the move of the nation's capital from Calcutta to Delhi and as a demonstration of the princely state of Jaipur's devotion to the British Crown. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and funded by Maharaja Madho Singh of Jaipur.
• The Iron Gate : Rashtrapati Bhavan's imposing gates are works of art unto themselves. The lengthier grille, which extends from Gate No. 2 on the southern side till the northernmost end of Rashtrapati Bhavan and is at a height of fourteen feet, is made up of twenty-six feet tall wrought iron gates that have a width of six metres. The grille, which is set on a two-foot stone foundation, gives the impression of being made of a complex black lace with spiky uprights and floral synthesis. Rashtrapati Bhavan's main gates have a gilded national insignia in the centre, while the top of the gates are decorated with Star of India patterns.
• Tuscan Pillars : The Forecourt's Tuscan pillars serve as a constant reminder of Rashtrapati Bhavan's stately, opulent, and symmetrical construction. Twenty sturdy pillars, twelve in front and eight behind, support the Rashtrapati Bhavan's front verandah. They are influenced by the Renaissance's Tuscan order of building.
• The Rampurva Bull: At the Rashtrapati Bhavan's Forecourt entrance, the Rampurva Bull is situated on a pedestal between the main pillars. The Rampurva Bull is renowned for its finely detailed model, which provides an excellent portrayal of soft skin, sensitive nose, attentive ears, and powerful legs. It combines Persian and Indian themes. The bull capital is a stunning example of Indian craftsmanship, in contrast to the non-Indian designs on the base, inverted lotus on top, rosette, palmette, and acanthus embellishments. The sculpture of the Rampurva Bull is supposed to feel velvety.
• Reception : The Rashtrapati Bhavan mansion's Forecourt serves as the entrance to the Reception. Visitors are welcomed by a life-size oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, as soon as they enter Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Navachara : The President officially opened the Navachara Gallery on August 4, 2015, in an innovative effort to support technical growth and innovation in India. By means of this effort, Rashtrapati Bhavan seeks out initiatives centred on cutting-edge technological advances, from which it chooses a chosen number to display in the coveted Navachara Gallery.
• Banquet hall : The Banquet Hall, commonly referred to as the State Dining Room, is home to many exquisite details. The Mughal Gardens are seen on one side of this chamber, which is 104 feet long by 34 feet broad and 35 feet high. The Banquet Hall's walls are panelled with Burmese teak, while the flooring are tiled with white Makrana marble and grey Kota stone.
• Upper Loggia : Between the Banquet Hall and the Ashok Hall, the Upper Loggia, formerly known as the West Garden Loggia, looks out over the Grand Staircase on one side and the Mughal Gardens on the other. After events held in the Durbar Hall, tea and other refreshments are typically served in this chamber.
• Lutyens garnd Statirs : Through Lutyens' Grand Stairs, one enters the banquet hall. These steps, which are 111 feet long and 53 feet wide and are made of sandstone, lead to the Ashok Hall and the Banquet Hall, respectively, at either end. The Central Dome of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the sky are both clearly visible from the top of these steps, which provide the sense that one is inside while one is actually outside. This location allegedly offers the building's closest view of the Dome. Because of its distinctive architectural design, the Lutyens' Grand Stairs have been called "one of the most memorable areas in the entire structure."
• Guest wing : The first floor of the Guest Wing, also known as the South West Wing of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is specifically designated for receiving Heads of State, their spouses, and senior members of the delegation. The Guest Wing has three storeys. Its two major suites, Dwarka and Nalanda, formerly known as the Irwin and Reading Suites, have hosted prominent visitors such as heads of state, kings, and queens.
• Ashok Hall : The Ashok Hall is one of Rashtrapati Bhavan's most intriguing and elaborately adorned chambers. It's interesting to note that the State Ballroom was formerly held in this enormous, magnificently decorated venue that is now utilised for significant ceremonial events. Prior to the start of the State Banquets hosted by the President, the visiting and Indian delegations are formally introduced in the Ashok Hall, where Heads of Mission from other nations give their credentials.
• North Drawing room : The Indian President greets visiting Heads of State in the North Drawing Room (NDR), one of Rashtrapati Bhavan's ceremonial chambers. This elegantly decorated room, which is next to Rashtrapati Bhavan's Durbar Hall and features stately Burmese teak panelling on the walls and lovely hardwood furnishings, provides a perfect backdrop for head of state meetings. The majority of the furniture at Rashtrapati Bhavan is made of teak, but there is also ornamental furniture made of "padauk, shisham, ainee, blackwood, poon, koko, walnut and ebony."
• Long Drawing room : The Rashtrapati Bhavan's Large Drawing Room (LDR), as its name implies, is a long conference room where the President once hosted the annual conferences of Governors and Lieutenant-Governors. The Honorable President also attends meetings in this space with certain groups and organisations. The Long Drawing Room, which is next to the Durbar Hall, has two doors on either end that go to the hallways of the North Drawing Room and the South Drawing Room.
• Library : Known as the Daughter of the Durbar Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan's Library’ is located at the north-eastern corner of the Bhavan and is accessed through the North Staircase. Library“A circle within a square”, it is said to resemble St Stephen’s Walbrook in London.
• Durbar Hall : We had a long-ago tryst with fate, and now the moment has come to redeem our vow—not entirely or fully, but very significantly. When the rest of the world goes to sleep at midnight, India will awaken to freedom and vitality. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru brought India into an era of freedom with these momentous words, which are indelible in the rich pages of India's past and the psyche of a people. The speech reflected on the battle for independence and predicted India's future success. The beautiful Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan is a testament to this momentous occasion of the first Indian government's swearing-in ceremony.
• Lord Buddha Statue : The 1000-armed statue of Lord Buddha, also known as Sahastrabahu Avlokiteshvara, was given as a gift to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India's second president, by the Government of Vietnam. Sahastrabahu, avlokiteshvara, and other Sanskrit terms have the meanings "one with 1000 arms" and "the lord who looks upon the universe in compassion," respectively. This Buddha figure represents compassion in human form. It's said that Lord Buddha can assist anyone in need thanks to the many hands.
• Central Lawn : The Central Lawn is one of Rashtrapati Bhavan's significant gardens. Central Lawn, which is 45 metres on each side and is square in shape, serves as the principal location for the President of India's yearly "At Home" Republic Day and Independence Day festivities.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum:Circuit 2 :

The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex, or RBMC, is included in this section. The Clock Tower, The Garages, and The Stables are three separate structures that make up RBMC. On July 25, 2014, The Stables were dedicated to the country. The Garages, on the other hand, debuted on July 25, 2016. Some of the most priceless artefacts, which represent the pinnacle of culture, art, tradition, and history, are on display in the museum. Consequently, it is a must-see for everybody who appreciates originality in life. Except on Mondays, this area of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is open.

• The Clock Tower : The Clock Tower is a historic structure that Sir Edwin Lutyens constructed in the year 1925. The British Army's band used to practise in the structure, which was originally called the Band House. The President's Estate's Schedule B includes the Clock Tower, which is currently the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex's reception area (RBMC). Its previous uses included both housing and serving as Rashtrapati Bhavan's post office.
• The Stables : The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC) is a representation of the independence, democracy, and cohesion of India. The conclusion of efforts to conserve and present the countless presents that the Presidents of India have received throughout the years is this museum, which was formally opened on July 25, 2014. In addition to these gifts, the museum's collection also consists of weapons, furniture, sculptures, textiles, pictures, archival materials, and more.
• The Garages : On October 7, 2014, the Honorable President lay the groundwork for the new Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC) structure, the Garages. The moniker comes from the fact that the historic structure once served as the President's Estate's garages. It is with great joy that The Garages of RBMC are being formally launched on July 25, 2016, following 21 months of dedicated work by the Museum Advisor, authorities, and personnel. The Garages exhibit the Rashtrapati Bhavan's past and present presidencies, royal rituals, diverse flora and fauna, and much more. For those who may be keen observers of art, culture, tradition, and history, it is a comprehensive package.

The Gardens:Circuit 3 :

The Mughal and other gardens are included in this area of the president's home. Who hasn't heard of the renowned Mughal Gardens and the flowery delight they provide? The guests can also be entertained by the Herbal Garden, Musical Garden, and Spiritual Garden. From August to March, Thursdays through Sundays, you can visit this area of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• Herbal Garden : In 2002, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a former president of India, founded the Herbal Gardens on the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate. The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants assisted in the establishment of the Herbal Gardens as part of President Kalam's initiative to promote natural treatments (CIMAP).In this garden, around 33 medicinal and fragrant plants with signs describing their uses are planted.
• Spiritual Garden : The Spiritual Garden of Rashtrapati Bhavan, frequently referred to be the most original of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's initiatives, is in fact a novel idea. Here, trees and plants connected to many Indian faiths are raised together. This garden was created with the intention of promoting peaceful cohabitation despite religious and cultural diversity and demonstrating tolerance for one another.
• Musical Garden : The Musical Garden was President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's idea, and it was unveiled in February 2006. It serves as an illustration of how music and science may interact to inspire human creativity. The Musical Garden, which is located on the President's Estate in a space that was formerly a nursery, features three sizable water fountains that exhibit digital electronics, electromagnetic, hydrodynamics, and hydrostatics. The audio system is fed by a computerised programme controller while the music is digitalized.

Change of Guard Ceremony- Every Saturday :

It is a military custom that has been updated throughout time to improve its aesthetic appeal to the general population. It takes place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturdays and Sundays, and it showcases the bravery of the President's Bodyguard's tankmen and superb paratroopers.

• On the Rashtrapati Bhavan's official website, request permission to visit at least 60 days earlier.
• All three of the Rashtrapati Bhavan's circuits are off-limits during gazetted holidays.
• You may drive inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex and park there if you want to explore the Central Lawns near Circuit 1, the Mughal Garden, and other gardens located on Circuit 3. If you want to take a tour of Circuit 2-the Museum, sign up at the parking lot behind gate 30. (near to the Mother Teresa Crescent Road, Talkatora Stadium).
• If you are an Indian citizen, always have a current picture ID with you.
• Foreign visitors are required to submit a request online, provide photocopies of their passports, and bring the original with them on the day of their visit.
• There is a Rs. 50 online payment cost per individual for registration. A party of 30 visitors would be charged Rs. 1200. Extra participants will be charged Rs. 50 apiece if the group consists of more than 30 members.
• Children under the age of eight are not required to pay the registration cost.
• Within the museum complex, there are cafe coffee day and subway locations.

• Parliament House : One of New Delhi's other stunning structures, the Parliament House is a 4-minute walk from Rashtrapati Bhavan and is situated at the end of Sansad Marg. On days when the parliament is not in session, the building is accessible to tourists from 11 am until 5 pm. On Sundays and Mondays, the museum dedicated to preserving the "Democratic Heritage of India" is closed.
• Akshara Theatre : Watch highly renowned plays at the Akshara Theatre, which is just six minutes' drive from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Online ticket sales are available for nighttime performances, so you may see them following your tour of the White House.
• Nehru Planetarium : This Museum and Library is housed inside the Teen Murti Bhavan and is one of the five planetariums named after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. The late Prime Minister Nehru lived at this house, which has been transformed into a museum. The Sky Theatre, a dome-shaped ceilinged auditorium where information about planets, constellations, and stars is projected in a theatre display style with the aid of multimedia and special effects, is the location's most well-known attraction. The Soyuz T-10 that was used by Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut to travel to space, is also on display at the space museum!
• Dandi March Statue : To honour the historical occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March, the Dandi March statue, also known as the Gyan Murti statue, was constructed at the T-junction on Sardar Patel Marg next to the President's Estate. The Gyan Murthi monument of eleven people on the march will leave you in awe with its exhibition of amazing craftsmanship, immortalising the momentous event in time.
• Jantar Mantar : A space observatory from the 1720s, Jantar Mantar was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. Thirteen astronomical equipment are used to monitor the sun's motions. The morning and evening are the ideal times to see this ancient building on Parliament Street.

The finest months to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan are February and March. The traditional Delhi winter chill is less pronounced during these months, while the sky is still perfectly clear. The Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens' late-winter roses, dahlias, chrysanthemums, lilies, and other plants are also in full bloom at this time of year. Only in the months of February and March is the spectacular Mughal Garden accessible to tourists.

The Mughal Garden and adjacent gardens are only available to tourists during this season, when the majority of the colourful Rashtrapati Bhavan garden's flower species bloom.

• By Metro: Central Secretariat on the Yellow Line is the closest metro station to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. You may take a cab or a car to the location from the metro. From the IGI Airport station, take the Airport Express metro to New Delhi. Take the yellow line of the Delhi Metro to the Central Secretariat station from New Delhi.
• By Rail: From Airport Terminal 2 to Rail Bhawan Metro Station, buses run hourly. There is a short walk to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• By Cab: The Delhi Airport serves as the hub for the majority of India's well-known call-a-cab services. From the Delhi Airport, a taxi may take you in around 40 minutes to Rashtrapati Bhavan.