Rashtrapati Bhavan

The splendour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan is multi-dimensional. It is a vast mansion and its architecture is breathtaking.

The present day Rashtrapati Bhavan was the erstwhile residence of the British Viceroy. Its architect was Edwin Landseer Lutyens. The decision to build a residence in New Delhi for the British Viceroy was taken after it was decided in the Delhi Durbar of 1911 that the capital of India would be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in the same year.

That 'empire in stone' and the perpetual Durbar was transformed to be the permanent institution of democracy on 26th January 1950 when Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India and occupied this building to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of India. It was from that day that this building was renamed as Rashtrapati Bhavan - the President's House.

It is interesting to note that the building which was scheduled to be completed in four years took seventeen years and on the eighteenth year of its completion India became independent. 

This vast mansion has got four floors and 340 rooms. With a floor area of 200, 000 square feet it is built by using 700 million bricks and three million cubic feet of stone. Hardly any steel has gone into the construction of the building. 

One of the most notable parts of the house is massive dome in the middle of the building. This is where the Durbar Hall is located. This is where all of the main functions that the President handles take place. The dome is built with copper and features some accents that involves both British and Hindu ideas.

                         

      Durbar Hall                      Durbar Hall               Marble Hall (Right Gallery)     Marble Hall (Centre)

                         

Marble Hall (Left Gallery)            Museum                        North Drawing Room             Ashoka Hall

                                       

                       Banquet Hall                      Jaipur Column                Yellow Drawing Room

President house is most appealing attraction to visit when in Delhi. This mansion features many beautiful rooms and massive gardens. 


There are many things that can happen throughout the year. People can see the changing of presidential bodyguards on Saturday morning here.    


The Mughal Gardens are open to the public in the month of February-March and specific dates, times are announces every year. This is the royal garden area that people can enjoy viewing. It is home to many decorative fountains and walls. A tropical theme is used for most of the plants in the area. 

I don’t claim the information to be my own. The information is compiled from http://presidentofindia.nic.in and other web sources.