Rashtrapati Bhavan is one of the many places that most of us haven’t visited while living in Delhi. It is the official residence of President of India situated at Raisina Hill in Lutyens Delhi designed by Edwin Lutyens.

The entry is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. We had booked online on 25th October for a visit on 24th November and a month passed in anticipation of that visit.

On 24th November a group of 34 students had the privilege of visiting Rashtrapati Bhavan along with 3 teachers. By 8.45 a.m we set out from school in our school bus, and reached the Rashtrapati Bhavan  by 10 a.m. At first sight itself, we were bowled over by this majestic structure. The main building covers an area of 5 acres and has 340 rooms spread over four floors.

We entered a large waiting hall after climbing stairs where other people were also waiting. We were photographed and given a ticket along with pictures and were directed to the guide of our group.

One of the most interesting facts that we first came to know about was that When the President is in Delhi, the flag is hoisted on top of the dome of the building.  When the President is not in Delhi, the flag is not hoisted.

The guide showed us the central part of Bhavan that included

Durbar Hall, Ashoka Hall(ball room), Library , Banquet Hall(state dining hall), Marble Hall, North Drawing Room(for receiving visiting heads of state), Yellow Drawing Room (for state functions like swearing –in) and the Buddha Statue .

In the end we were also shown the Mughal Garden. The famous Mughal Garden of the Rashtrapati Bhavan covers an area of 15 acres and has 159 celebrated varieties of roses, 60 varieties of bougainvillea and many other varieties of flowers in spring season.

By noon , we had completed the tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan and started our return journey back to school.

It was really an unforgettable experience, which apart from being intellectually rewarding , gave us a glimpse of our country’s proud history and the most significant events that happened before and after independence in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.