Delhi: A garden reborn at Rashtrapati Bhavan

For many Delhiites, a walk through the sprawling gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan is an annual ritual. The former Mughal Gardens, now renamed Amrit Udyan, open their gates each season with fresh blossoms, manicured lawns, and a grandeur tied to the President’s Estate. This year, however, the gardens offer more.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated three new sections—Plumeria Garden, Banyan Grove, and Babbling Brook—alongside the much-anticipated Summer Annuals. Together, they bring an added dimension of beauty, wellness, and engagement to the already iconic landscape.

From August 16 to September 14, 2025, the Udyan will remain open to the public between 10 AM and 6 PM, with the last entry at 5:15 PM.

A garden of serenity

The Plumeria Garden welcomes visitors with rolling green mounds that appear sculpted by hand. Interspersed with curated plantations, the space invites pause and reflection.

Plumeria flowers, associated with peace and spiritual calm, dominate the garden. Its design draws on traditional Indian principles, where symmetry and natural flow create an atmosphere of quietude. Families can linger here, children can explore, and individuals may find a corner for stillness and thought.

Wellness through nature

The Banyan Grove offers a wellness-oriented retreat. Tall trees cast cooling shade, while designed pathways lead visitors through a meditative journey.

Also Read: Amrit Udyan: A floral retreat in the heart of Delhi

Reflexology paths encourage barefoot walking, pressing natural stone against pressure points to improve circulation and balance. Panchtatva trails, representing the five elements of nature, prompt a reconnection with life’s fundamentals. Forest-inspired soundscapes—rustling leaves, birdsong, and trickling water—complete the sensory immersion.

This corner of the Udyan places physical and mental well-being at the centre.

Water in motion

The Babbling Brook adds a rare water feature to the gardens’ traditional layout. Natural cascades and sculptural spouts form its heart, while stepping stones invite visitors to cross and engage with the space.

The sound of flowing water introduces rhythm and movement, balancing the stillness of the other sections. For many, it may evoke rivers and streams from childhood, reimagined here as an elegant landscape.

Beyond flowers and fountains

This season’s opening extends beyond horticultural design. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has organised a food carnival and handicraft exhibition within the President’s Estate.

The food festival showcases flavours from across India, with stalls representing different states and regional specialties. A dedicated corner for Mitti Café—an enterprise that employs people with disabilities—adds an inclusive and meaningful note.

The handicraft exhibition transforms the Udyan into a living gallery of India’s craft heritage. Artisans display textiles, pottery, bamboo work, and jewellery, while a playful counter offers photographs styled after the whimsical art of Studio Ghibli.

A garden with renewed purpose

The transformation of Amrit Udyan signals more than a seasonal facelift. It reflects an effort to open Rashtrapati Bhavan in new ways, creating spaces that invite reflection, wellness, and cultural appreciation.

For decades, the gardens have been admired for their blooms, symmetry, and ties to Mughal landscaping traditions. With the addition of Plumeria Garden, Banyan Grove, and Babbling Brook, the Udyan takes on a people-centric character—encouraging visitors not only to see, but also to feel, touch, and interact.