Want to see the magnificence of our Rashtrapati Bhavan – yes, the palatial house of the President of India – now it’s possible to see it from the inside!
Many tourists travel to Delhi when they visit North India for holidays. A lot of them do the Delhi sightseeing tour. But did you know that you can visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan – the place where the President of India stays – and see its gardens, the wonderful museum inside, and the opulence of the place? YES! Tourists can enter Rashtrapati Bhavan – albeit with some restrictions and following certain rules and regulations.
What is Rashtrapati Bhavan?
Rashtrapati Bhavan, built by the famous architect Lutyens, covers an area of 5 acres on a 330-acre estate. This mansion has a total of 340 rooms spread over four floors, 2.5 kilometers of corridors, and 190 acres of garden area. When constructed, it was called the Viceroy’s House. The name changed to Government House on August 15, 1947, when India became independent. Finally, its name was changed to Rashtrapati Bhavan during the term of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Since independence, Rashtrapati Bhavan has hosted defense investiture ceremonies, swearing-in of leaders, honored bravehearts and achievers, heard the speeches of world leaders, signed pacts and treaties with various countries, and celebrated India’s Independence and Republic Day functions along with other festivals.
Many parts of Rashtrapati Bhavan have been opened for public viewing now. You can visit the main portions of the Bhavan or view the unique interactive museum that has been built, visit the world-famous well-manicured gardens, or witness the Changing of Guards Ceremony (like you would witness at Buckingham Palace!)
There is an online booking system to book tickets and passes for all of the above – accessible at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in
Rashtrapati Bhavan Main Building
Visit the famous Darbar Hall where all significant functions of national importance are held, the huge banquet halls where visiting dignitaries are hosted by the President, the large corridors, and admire the architecture and smart use of stones of various colors to create a beautiful façade.
Access to visitors is allowed only six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday (except Monday & Gazetted Holidays).
Entry fees are Rs. 50 payable online; children below 8 years are free.
Being a high-security area, visitors are not allowed to carry mobile phones, cameras, smart watches, or other gadgets, along with any backpacks, handbags, or heavy luggage. Cloak room facilities are available to store such items.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum
A world-class museum in a high-tech storytelling format, with contextual stories woven around original collections. The uniqueness of this museum lies in its concept of an event-based history museum in contrast with traditional object-based museums in the country. Here, the story of Rashtrapati Bhavan is told through virtual and augmented reality, interactive digital cascading tables, video walls, three-dimensional stereoscopic projections, holographic projections, and sound-light-video synchronized stage settings. The museum is unique in its sensitivity to heritage issues, with 11,000 square meters of space designed and built completely underground with the heritage structures designed by architect Lutyens on top.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday (except on Gazetted Holidays). For bookings, tourists must buy tickets (Rs. 50 per person) at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in or https://rbmuseum.gov.in/
Amrit Udyan
Summer Annuals of Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan are opening for the public from 16th August 2024 to 15th September 2024. This edition of Amrit Udyan will showcase a landscaping marvel where visitors can witness Coleus, Celosia, Tuberose, and many other rare seasonal flowers in full glory. Key attractions include beautiful new setups in Amrit Udyan, a specially curated garden for children called Bal Vatika with a story of a 225-year-old Sheesham tree, a treehouse, Nature’s classroom, Bonsai, Circular Gardens with a diverse variety of flora and fauna, and a vibrant food court with refreshments and ongoing exhibitions.
Visitors can explore the gardens from 10:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs (last entry at 17:15 hrs). Online bookings are available at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in. Online booking slots open 10 days in advance of the date of visit.
Change of Guard Ceremony
If you are in Delhi on a Saturday (if it is not a Gazetted Holiday), do take time out to visit the Change of Guards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It commences at 08:00 am and ends at 09:00 am. There is no ticket to witness this ceremony, but online booking and registration are compulsory.
The Change of Guard ceremony is a military tradition with origins lost in antiquity. Guards and sentries at palaces, forts, and defense establishments periodically change to enable a fresh body of troops to take charge. At Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ceremonial Army Guard battalion provides ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India.
The ceremony has been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and public-friendly. An equestrian display by the President’s Bodyguard in ceremonial regalia has been added. The thirty-minute ceremony starts with the PBG troops, astride their caparisoned and well-groomed steeds, advancing to the tunes played by the Army Brass Band. The Parade Commander then marches in, and on their command, the guard of the 8th Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Siachen) marches in. After inspection, the new guard takes position alongside the old guard, and both exchange the national salute. The ceremony concludes with an equestrian display by the PBG and the playing of the National Anthem.
Online booking is available at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in.
