President to open Rashtrapati Bhavan�s annual �Udyanotsav� on February 11, 2016

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will open the annual �Udyanotsav” of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 11, 2016 at 1500 hrs.

The world famous Mughal Gardens will remain open for general public from February 12 to March 19, 2016 (except on Mondays which are maintenance days) between 0930 hrs to 1600 hrs. Members of the public will also be able to visit the Spiritual Garden, Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden and Musical Garden.

The main attractions of this year’s Udyanotsav are Tulips and ‘Primulas’ which are blooming in abundance. As they do not last long, they are planted in phases and have been in bloom since the second week of January 2016. About 12,000 Tulips in vivid colors of red, orange and yellow mixed with red, pink, purple and white are expected to be in blossom in phases up to 10th March. The Tulips have been also grown this year in earthen pots and beds of the Rectangular Garden and Circular Garden.

The Long Garden has several beds of roses, including both new and heritage varieties, margined with dwarf trimmed hedge and numerous exotic, bulbous flowering plants.

Flower Carpets in magnificent designs will be on display in the Central Lawns revealing the skill and craft of the gardeners of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The dominant colour scheme of this year’s ornamental flowers is various shades of yellow, red and orange. A small cactus corner, as in previous years, forms part of the Mughal Gardens display. Visitors and plant lovers will be able to see a newly developed Lotus pond in the Spiritual Garden. Flowering and other house plants have been placed along a vertical wall in Long Garden so that they are able to sustain themselves with limited soil.

Exhibition Stalls will be set up near the Spiritual Garden displaying models of organic cultivation farms as well as organic fresh vegetables and fruits grown in the President’s Estate Organic Farm. There will also be a Vermi-compost and Masala Stall set up by women Self Help Groups of Rashtrapati Bhavan. A Curio Shop will sell souvenirs and books on Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Entry and exit for the general public will be from Gate No. 35 of the President’s Estate, close to where North Avenue meets Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visitors are requested not to bring any water bottles, briefcases, handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, boxes, umbrellas, eatables etc. Such articles, if any, will have to be deposited at the entry point.

The Mughal Gardens will be open exclusively on March 20 to special category of visitors viz farmers, differently abled persons, defence/para-military forces and Delhi Police personnel from 0930 hrs. to 1600 hrs. This entry and exit will also be through Gate No. 35.

The Tactile Garden will be open for visually impaired people on March 20 from 1100 hrs. to 1600 hrs. Entry and exit will be from Gate No. 12, situated on Church Road (next to the North Avenue).