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Mughal
Gardens opens for public view
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President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Dr. Devising Ramsingh
Shekhawat at a press preview in Mughal Gardens,
which was later opened for public on February 7,
at Rashtrapati Bhavan
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New Delhi: The Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan
including the Musical Garden, the Spiritual Garden, the
Herbal Garden and the Bio-diversity Park, were opened
for viewing by the general public on Saturday. The Gardens
will be open to the general public on all days from till
March 10 from 1000 hrs. to 1700 hrs. except on Mondays
being maintenance days. Entry into the Gardens will be
open only upto 1600 hrs. Entry and Exit will be through
Gate No. 35 near North Avenue.
The
Mughal Gardens, contiguous to the main building of Rashtrapati
Bhavan cover an area of 15 acres. The Gardens were designed
by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who was inspired by the beautiful
gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the garden around the Taj
Mahal and Persian and Indian miniature paintings. The
Mughal Gardens comprises three parts: the first is the
Rectangular Garden adjacent to the main Rashtrapati Bhavan
building, which is divided into four quarters, each with
terraced gardens on either side. The Central Lawn here
is the venue of numerous receptions and 'At Homes" hosted
by the President. The Rectangular Garden has several winter
seasonal bulbous and flowering beds, with the prominence
being the variety of Roses, which are at full bloom and
are the centre of attraction. The Garden has 125 varieties
of roses. Some of the varieties are; Adora, Mrinalini,
Taj Mahal, Modern Art, Oklahoma, John F. Kennedy, Virgo,
Mr. Lincoln, Folkore. Their presence in bright colors
sends the message - “ My mission is giving Happiness”.
In addition to this, Dahlias, Tulips, Asiatic Lilies and
other seasonal flowers add beauty. This central part of
the Garden is followed by the Long Garden, which has some
prominent and popular roses like - Christian Dior, Queen
Elizabeth, Iceberg, Pasadena, Montezuma, Summer Snow,
First Prize, Century Two, Dori’s Tysterman, and two new
additions - Frantasia (blue in color) and Amalia. Most
of the varieties in the Long Garden are at their best
to welcome every visitor with the message –“ Together,
we always give happiness." The next is the Circular Garden
also called the ‘Pearl’ or ‘Butter Fly’ or ‘Sunken’ Garden.
Located at the Western edge it is a huge terraced bowl,
lined with various fragrant and vibrant annuals. A bubble
fountain in the middle of this bowl enhances the grandeur
of the place. Here one can see - Viola and Dahlia, Phlox,
Poppy, Larkspur and multi-colored attractive flowers.
The Mughal Garden derives its evergreen character from
trees like Mouser, Putranjiva, Saru, Juniper, China Orange,
Roses, Tulips, Oriental and Asiatic Lilies and variety
of Climbers etc. Various annuals are grown in beds and
formal borders according to their heights and colors to
produce a harmonious effect and provide a longer period
for the bed to be full of blooms. Winter flowers like
Calendula, Antirrhinum, Alyssum, Dimorphotheca, Larkspur,
Gazania, Gerbera, Lineria, Mesembryanthemum, Brachycome,
Metrucharia, Verbena, Viola, Pansy and Stock grow well
in flowerbeds. Dahlias, and Sweet Pea stand out because
of their range of colors. A naturalizing effect is created
by bulbous flowering plants like, Narcissus, Hyacinths,
Gladiolus, Lilies, Tulips and Iris. 50 types of annuals
are in bloom now. Sweet Pea, an annual that covers the
walls with flowers, is more beautiful than other annuals
and is eye catching.
Visitors
are not allowed to bring any water bottles, briefcases,
handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, cell
phones, umbrellas, arms/ammunitions and eatables. Such
articles will not be allowed to be carried into the Mughal
Gardens and will have to be deposited at the entry point
at the owner’s risk. Schools wishing to organize a visit
for children below the age of 10 years to the Mughal Gardens
during this period may contact Section Officer (Invitation
Section), President’s Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi 110 004 on telephone numbers 23012960 & 23015321
Extn.4229 and 4479 and Fax number 23013189, two days in
advance. -A press release
- Feb 7, 2009
