The Doors of Rashtrapati Bhavan Are Now Open...Please Come In

Few months into his appointment as the honourable President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, in addition to addressing various national issues, took on another task on his hands. This task was a unique one, only heard of in other countries and not seen in our own. It was to make Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, as accessible as possible to the general public.

An Open House, Almost!

While the beautiful Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan are open to public every year in February, in addition to certain other parts of this majestic edifice; there are several other unknown treasures waiting to be explored.

The official guides at the Rashtrapati Bhavan have been trained by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and take tour guiding way beyond the usual. The guided tour, it’s said, is not the typical reading out of facts from history books. What it is, is a fascinating walk through a vast treasure trove of India’s history adorned with interesting historical and architectural trivia.

Did You Know?                                                                              

-  Durbar Hall, the spherical room situated right beneath the central dome of the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been privy to historical events such as the oath taking ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru as the first Prime Minister of India. What catches the eye immediately upon entering this magnificent room is the 33-metre long, two-tonne chandelier dangling from the dome.

-  The Ashoka Hall, the swearing-in venue of the council of ministers was used as a ballroom before 1947.

-  Many chairs and tables kept in other rooms of the Rashtrapati Bhavan were designed by the great architect, Edward Lutyens. He had a thing for circles and this fascination is evident all over the Bhavan including on furniture with circular designs.

-  One of the most beguiling of all trivia is the vertical line that passes through the centre of the Durbar Hall, dividing the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the India Gate into two halves. Both structures are at 180 degrees to each other.

-  The Library at the Bhavan, which was apparently hiding under a pile of dust was also part of this restoration drive. The oldest book in the Library is War with Tipoo Sultan and the Siege of Sereinapatam by Lt. Gen. Alexander Beatson, published in London in the year 1800.

Intrigued? Well, then pick a weekend and take a tour. All you have to do is register on the official website of the President of India and get a guided tour on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday between 9 am to 4 pm.

Planning a visit to Delhi? MakeMyTrip offers a variety of flights, trains and hotels!

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