Mughal Gardens to Be Opened for Public Viewing From February 7th. This Year's Attraction - Roses

The Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan including the Musical Garden, the Spiritual Garden, the Herbal Garden and the Bio-diversity Park, are being opened for viewing by the general public from February 7th. The Gardens will be open to the general public on all days from 7th February to 10th March 2009 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 comprise 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 requested not to bring any water bottles, briefcases, handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, cell phones, umbrellas, arms/ammunitions and eatables. Such articles, if any, 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.

The release issued at 1030 hrs