Everything You Need To Know About Rashtrapati Bhavan - Where The President Of The Country Resides

Located in a massive area of 19,000 square metres is India’s most expensive house, famously known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan where the President of the country resides. Its architectural grandeur & magnificence speaks for the fact that the leader of the world’s largest democracy lives here. The building (also regarded as a monument) stands here majestically with the two secretariat buildings guarding it. 

Sir Edwin Lutyens, the brains behind the design of Delhi was also responsible for this significant monument. Rashtrapati Bhavan was originally meant to be a palace for British India’s viceroy. Hence it was given utmost importance & Lutyens thought that the Palace of Viceroy would be the centre point of Delhi. 

A Symbol Of Strength

Picture Credits: triptodelhi

Interestingly, the Palace was to be built as a symbol of the British Imperial strength & it took around 17 years to be completed. But coincidentally, India got its independence after 18 years. It is to be believed that even after India’s independence, in the year 1947, the ceremonial Governor-General continued to live there & finally was succeeded by the First President of India in the year 1950 and the palace was renamed as the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

In that time, it is said that a whopping Rs 14 million were spent to build it & today, according to the prevalent real estate prices, the value of the Rashtrapati Bhavan would be thousands of crores. *our minds are blown*

Masjestic Surroundings

Picture Credits: _.shauryagag._

Its architecture proudly boasts of the Indian/Mughal cultures & designs. Numerous symbols such as chattris, chajjas, jaalis, elephants, domes & even the bells resembling the Indian & Buddhist temples are incorporated in the architecture. 

Picture Credits: dauntless_vagabond

The Mughal Gardens are one of the main attractions for visitors as they include beautiful & blossoming colourful flowers of various varieties and are open for public viewing in the months of February-March every year. 

Picture Credits: presidentofindia

The Rashtrapati Bhavan encompasses 4 floors & a total of 360 rooms! It also includes nine tennis courts, a polo ground, a 14 holes-golf course & a cricket field. The iconic India Gate is placed to the west of the Rashtrapati Bhavan & is also very near to the Parliament House. 

A very exciting piece of information about it is that none of India’s presidents, ever, have occupied the actual Viceroy quarters due to its excessive lavishness. Most of them housed themselves in different portions of the building. Rashtrapati Bhavan is considered amongst one of those significant monuments that stand at par with the Taj Mahal & Qutub Minar. It is an absolute haven for ardent architecture lovers and Indians.

Common people are not allowed to enter the Rashtrapati Bhavan but to do so, special permission from the Reception Office at Raisina Rd is essential which would require an introduction letter from the respective embassies; however, during the Mughal Garden festival, the entry is relatively easy. 

So, plan a visit here super soon!

Where | Rashtrapati Bhavan - Rashtrapati Bhawan, President's Estate