Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

The Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill is the residence of the President of India.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan on Raisina Hill is the residence of the President of India. The 340 room edifice is surrounded by the 320 acre Presidential Estate which comprises sprawling landscaped gardens and staff residences. Designed by Edwin Lutyens, the building combines elements of Edwardian Baroque with Indo-Saracenic details, with a facade of unique Delhi Order columns which cannot be found elsewhere. The Durbar Hall, known as the Throne Room during British rule, has a splendid 2-ton chandelier and a Gupta-era statue of the Buddha. It is used for State functions such as conferring of the Padma Awards. The Ashoka Hall, built as a ballroom, is noted for its ceiling murals. The Museum displays autographed photographs of several Heads of States, and gifts received by the President during visits abroad or from visiting Heads of State.

The monumental Jaipur Column of cream and red sandstone stands in the middle of the courtyard in front, with a bronze lotus and a 6-pointed glass star finial. The breathtaking Mughal gardens at the back are open to the public in February-March every year.