Tweet
The annual opening of the Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here has been rechristened the Udyanotsav (garden fest) with the most aesthetically designed gardens and colourful rows of blooms on display with newer elements thrown in.
Visitors to the Mughal Gardens, which open to the public from Tuesday, can now soak in the beauty of the deftly crafted gardens, watch how the Presidential Estate is being transformed into a zero-waste habitat and also purchase organic compost manufactured by the self-help groups that run with help from the President's office.
“We have rechristened the Mughal Garden opening the Udyanotsav . It is no longer just an exhibition of the flora; we have added several elements to make it interactive. For instance this year, visitors can buy memorabilia from a curio shop or even purchase organics compost that is being manufactured from the refuse that is collected from within the Estate,” said a Rashtrapati Bhavan official.
Audio-visual presentation
Visitors will be shown an audio-visual presentation on the environmental initiative — the Roshni Programme. The programme has been instrumental in turning the Estate into a green zone where waste is segregated and put to use.
This year's attractions include a “Vertical Garden”which is a new concept of developing a green, floral wall and a “Bonsai Garden.” “The Bonsai Garden has a variety of styles, with about 200 such plants. A cactus corner has also been created,” said an official.
Also on display are a variety of blooms, including roses, lilies, tulips and double pansies.
The gardens will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days — except Mondays for maintenance — till March 16. Entry into the gardens will be only up to 4 p.m.
The Mughal Gardens, spread over 15 acres, consist of three areas. The first part is the Rectangular Garden, divided into four quarters, each with terraced gardens on either side. The Central Lawn is the venue of numerous receptions and ‘At Homes' hosted by the President and provides a breathtaking view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Central Lawn is covered by doob grass — it was brought from the Belvedere Estate in Kolkata. The grass still maintains its sheen. The Rectangular Garden also has several winter seasonal bulbous and flowering beds, with a variety of roses such as Mrinalini, Taj Mahal, Modern Art, Oklahoma, John F. Kennedy, Mr. Lincoln and Folklore.
The second part is the Long Garden, which is enclosed inside walls of about 12 feet high and is predominantly a Rose Garden with 16 square rose beds, encased in low hedges. The third part is the Circular Garden, a huge terraced bowl, lined with various fragrant and vibrant annuals. There is also a bubble fountain in the middle of this garden.
Biodiversity Park
The Biodiversity Park, which has deer, ducks, turkeys, guinea fowls, turtles, parakeets, rabbits and migratory birds, is another attraction. Plants of medicinal and aromatic value are part of the Herbal Garden, which also includes the bio-diesel producing plant, jatropha; stevia, which provides safe sugar for diabetics; isabgol (plantago), damask rose, ashwagandha, brahmi, mint, basil, geranium and 33 types of herbs.