Amrit Udyan opens doors to public amid celebrations

Amrit Udyan, earlier known as the Mughal Gardens, opened to the public on August 16, extending its embrace till September 17. 

The announcement from Rashtrapati Bhavan brings jubilation to enthusiasts and admirers of gardens and nature.

Much like the preceding year, this season provides visitors with an opportunity to not only revel in the garden’s splendid arrangement and unique flora but also to partake in the festivities of the ‘Udyan Utsav’. Despite the relentless summer heat, this picturesque garden has succeeded in alluring crowds, not just from the confines of Delhi, but from every corner of the nation.

Abhishek Yadav from Ajmer, who was exploring the garden with his family for the first time, shared, “We came to Delhi to visit our relatives. We planned a two-day sightseeing tour and decided to include the gardens in our itinerary since they’re open for only a short period.”

The melodic fountain display and the enchanting Bonsai gardens have particularly captivated the attention of visitors, a good number of whom are attempting to capture these moments with their mobile phone cameras.

“I managed to take a few photos near the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the musical fountain. It’s my first time experiencing this beautiful garden,” expressed Mehak, a college student who had come with her friends to witness the blooming flowers.

For Delhi residents, this occasion is eagerly anticipated, as the garden unfurls its beauty just once a year. 

“I’ve been coming to the garden for the past 7-8 years. Every year when it’s open, I bring my kids along,” said Mehak Khan, a Noida resident, who was visiting with her two children.

This heralds the second edition of Udyan Utsav, a special event designed to showcase the vivid spectrum of summer blossoms to eager visitors. 

Spanning across an expansive 15-acre expanse, Amrit Udyan is often referred to as the “heart of Rashtrapati Bhavan”. 

This year’s Udyan Utsav endeavours to showcase the vibrant allure of seasonal blossoms.

The garden, sprawled across 15 acres before the Rashtrapati Bhavan, draws inspiration from the Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the garden facing the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the intricate miniature art from India and Persia.

Crafted by Raj-era architect Edwin Landseer Lutyens, the garden’s design harmoniously melds two distinct horticultural legacies — the opulent Mughal style and the quintessentially English flower garden.

The amalgamation of Mughal canals, terraces, and blossoming shrubs with European flowerbeds, lawns, and private hedges creates an exceptional and gratifying atmosphere.

In January this year, President Droupadi Murmu bestowed the name of ‘Amrit Udyan’ upon the Rashtrapati Bhavan Gardens.