Inside Amrit Udyan: When Rashtrapati Bhavan Turns into a Living Paradise
For most of the year, it exists only in photographs, memories, and whispered recommendations. Then, for a few precious weeks, it opens softly, almost humbly, inside the most powerful address in the country. From today, Amrit Udyan, nestled within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex, is once again open to the public, offering not just a visual spectacle but a rare emotional pause in the heart of New Delhi. Open till March 31, this annual opening transforms a seat of authority into a shared public space, where schoolchildren, elderly couples, solo walkers, and first-time visitors stroll the same paths once designed for imperial quiet.Timings, Access, and the Ease of EntryAccording to the President’s Secretariat, Amrit Udyan will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:15 PM. The garden will remain closed on Mondays for maintenance and on March 4, on account of Holi. In a gesture that reinforces its inclusive spirit, entry is completely free. Visitors can book their slots online through visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in or offline via self-service kiosks located outside Gate No. 35 of Rashtrapati Bhavan. To ensure accessibility, a shuttle bus service runs every 30 minutes from Central Secretariat Metro Station to Gate No. 35, between 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM. The buses are clearly marked with banners reading “Shuttle Service for Amrit Udyan”, making the journey as smooth as the experience awaiting inside.What You Can Carry and What You Leave BehindThe rules inside Amrit Udyan are simple, designed to keep the space calm and secure. Visitors are allowed to carry mobile phones, electronic keys, purses, handbags, water bottles, baby milk bottles, and umbrellas. All other items are restricted. This careful balance between access and discipline ensures that the garden remains a space of collective respect where footsteps are gentle, conversations soften, and attention naturally turns to what surrounds you. Formerly known as the Mughal Garden, the space was renamed Amrit Udyan, reflecting both continuity and renewal. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect who shaped much of New Delhi’s imperial core, the garden was envisioned as a place where human order and natural beauty could coexist in harmony. Spanning 15 acres, the garden blends British landscape planning with Indian and Persian influences. At its heart lies the Charbagh concept, inspired by Persian gardens dividing the space into four symmetrical sections through walkways and water channels that guide both movement and thought. Originally, the garden comprised the East Lawn, Central Lawn, Long Garden, and Circular Garden, each with its own rhythm and character.A Living Space That Evolved with TimeOver the years, Amrit Udyan has grown not just in size but also in purpose. During the tenures of former Presidents Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Ram Nath Kovind, several new thematic gardens were added, each reflecting a deeper engagement with nature and inclusivity. These include Herbal Garden I and II, which highlight medicinal plants; the Tactile Garden, designed to be experienced through touch and accessible to the visually impaired; the Bonsai Garden, showcasing patience and precision; and Arogya Vanam, a space dedicated to wellness and healing. Together, these additions have transformed Amrit Udyan from a ceremonial lawn into a living classroom of ecology, design, and mindfulness.Trees That Have Seen Empires ChangeAmong the garden’s most quietly powerful residents is a 225-year-old Sheesham (rosewood) tree. Long before India became a republic, before Rashtrapati Bhavan took its current form, this tree stood witness, rooted through colonial rule, independence, and decades of democratic change. Nearby, over 300 bonsai trees, many nurtured for decades, draw visitors into a slower understanding of time. Their carefully shaped forms tell stories of discipline, care, and continuity values that resonate deeply in an age of speed. Adding to the sensory experience are musical fountains, where water moves in rhythm, reminding visitors that even in structured spaces, beauty can flow freely.When Nature Becomes a National InvitationAs Amrit Udyan opens its gates till March 31, it offers more than seasonal flowers or symmetrical lawns. It offers a chance to reconnect with nature, with history, and with the idea that some of the country’s most guarded spaces can also be its most welcoming. In a city constantly in motion, this garden stands still and in doing so, invites everyone else to do the same.
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