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Mughal Gardens

Mughal Gardens is referred to the majestic garden situated inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan Complex. This garden is one of the most famous and acclaimed gardens as a large variety of flowers bloom in the garden, even rare and exotic ones too.

Spread over 13 acres, the Mughal Gardens was developed by the British with the design being done by renowned British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The British created this garden by borrowing Mughal style and combining it with British designs. Thus you can find canals, fountains and terraces which were the unique features of the gardens built by Mughal emperors.

History of Mughal Gardens

The Mughal Gardens was conceptualized by the famous British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who also designed the magnificent Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Garden was, in fact, built for Lady Hardinge, wife of Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy, for whom the Bhavan was originally built. Most of the gardens they created were all of British or European design but the Mughal Gardens was an exception, for they borrowed liberally from the way Mughals had built their garden. Lutyens also incorporated British style to make Mughal Gardens exceptionally unique, beautiful, lavish and spectacular.

Here one can find canals, chhatris, fountains and terraces and a wide variety of flowering plants from bougainvillea to viscaria and many others.

Another feature of the Mughal Gardens is the many waterways that adorn it. There are four actually and exceptionally crafted fountains. These lie at the connection points which also have sandstone discs that are designed in the form of lotus leaves. These three-tiered discs give a worthy definition to the fountains. There are flowerbeds that add to the beauty of the well-designed landscape. The huge garden also has several mini gardens within them, namely pearl garden, circular garden and butterfly garden.

Architecture

The original gardens of Mughal emperors derive their design inspiration from the Islamic gardens from the medieval era. There are also attributes in the gardens which are also found in Turkey and Mongolia, for the Mughals trace their ancestry to these regions.

These mughal gardens had some essential features which included running water, a still water body such as a small lake or pool which they hoped would offer a reflection to both the sky and the garden, different trees of various heights of which there were fruit producing trees, some were only flowering trees while some were just there to provide shade.  The birds which made these gardens their home added to the beauty of the whole surroundings with their sweet chirpings. These gardens also had an elevated space such as a hillock or so to enhance the natural beauty of the garden and they also associated the features with many abstract connotations.

The Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan shows all the above influences and more. It has three sections including a rectangular section, a long section and a circular one.

The main garden comprises two channels that offer a division to the garden, in the form of a squares-shaped grid. At every intersection, there are six fountains in the shape of lotus. At the center of these channels, wooden trays are kept where grains are offered to birds. These fountains, with pecking and flying birds, offer a picturesque scene that offers visitors an enthralling experience.

The terrace garden is located at a higher level, with two longitudinal strips where plants of various hues and colors are grown. A fountain that falls to form a well is found at the intersection point of the strips.

The long garden is also called as the ‘purdha garden’ and is situated on the west side. It is a garden full of roses. At the centre though there is an area similar to an exhibition area built from red sandstone where you can find rose creepers and also other creepers such as grape vines, bougainvillea and more.  There are walls or rather walls of creepers where you can find various flowering creepers that are not only beautiful but even exotic.

Best Time to Visit and Visiting Hours

The Mughal Gardens is situated inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex and hence it is not open to visitors throughout the year but it is open in the month of February and March from morning 10 to 5 in the evening. On Mondays, the garden is closed for maintenance.

Fast Facts about Garden

The Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is not only one of the most renowned gardens in India, it is also one of the famous gardens in the world. The vast collection of flowering plants, trees, the exotic design and the lush space is  a wonder in itself. All the Presidents have added their bit to the garden. The garden was a great favourite of the former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

The most interesting fact about the Mughal Gardens is its design itself that is a combination of Mughal and British style. The various fountains, canals, and terraces give a unique look to the garden that offers a cool and divine atmosphere to the visitors. The lotus shaped sandstone discs is another feature that stands out. The different mini gardens in the huge expanse add to its exotic charm.

The Mughal Gardens also houses the office of the horticulturist in charge, a nursery and even a green house. Also, the Mughal Gardens has a great collection of bonsais, in fact, the biggest collection in the country. The circular garden is where butterfly lovers can get a peek at various exotic butterflies in the garden.

How to Reach

By Delhi Metro

The nearest Metro Station to reach Mughal Gardens is the Central Secretariat Metro Station which is onJahangir Puri - Central Secretariat route.

By DTC Bus

There are Delhi Transport Buses that take visitors directly to the Mughal Gardens from Connaught Place, or India Gate.

Nearest Airport from Mughal Gardens

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport).

Nearest Railway Station from Mughal Gardens

New Delhi Railway Station

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