In spite of living in National Capital Region for such a long time, this was my first visit to the Mughal Gardens (now renamed Amrit Udyan) at the Rashtrapati Bhawan! I was tempted in the previous years too but in the past even cell phones were not allowed. As of now they allow you to carry your cell phone, not head phones though. There is security at almost every step but no one says anything if you click pictures with your cell phone. So in this post I have collected the best of Mughal Garden (Amrit Udyan) , Delhi photos!
This year the gardens are open till 12th March 2017. The visiting hours are 9.30 am to 4.00 pm on all days except Mondays. You can carry cards, money and your cell phone inside. There is no need to carry a water bottle as there is bottled water available for free. There are paid vending machines too. The entry is from gate number 35. The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat.
The Amrit Udyan gardens are spread over 15 acres so put on your comfortable walking shoes! Sir Edwin Lutyens finalized the designs of the Mughal Gardens (Amrit Udyan) in 1917, but it was in the year 1928-1929 that first plantings were done. His collaborator for the gardens was the then Director of Horticulture, William Mustoe. The gardens have the elements of both Mughal and English gardens. You can see in the images as to how beautiful it looks!
The Gardens are divided in many sections. Right upon the entrance is the Herbal Garden. The fragrance almost overwhelms you, after all, I am more used to petrol fumes than fragrance elsewhere in the city! The second section is the Bonsai Garden where a few tall trees sheltered many small ones!
You then walk past the musical fountains where patriotic songs play on a loop. I was a bit confused about photography but at no point anyone asked me to stop; not even when I would sit on the ground to click a picture.
I am quite curious about the number of gardeners needed to main the grounds! I am sure it is huge! I could see them in many places. They also have access to areas where public cannot go!
However much I tried; I could not get the whole grand floral rangoli design in my frame. I was quite hesitant about photography but when I visit again, I will be more assured about it. Once you get out of the gardens you still see some signs of ‘photography and videography prohibited’ but there were no such sings within the gardens this year!
There were numerous moments when I regretted not having a zoom but then I reminded myself that earlier even cell phones were not allowed.
The variety of the flora is worth a mention. From cactus to seasonal flowers to beautiful roses there is almost everything that you might imagine or recognize.
It was impressive to see what skilled people can do with flowers and how soothing it is to the senses. I went on a weekday and closer to the opening time, so the crowd was manageable.
There were many school kids visiting the Mughal Gardens (Amrit Udyan) the day I went. There were more than one schools present. And yet the gardens are huge, so it was easy to give them a miss if I wanted to.
The way out is through this delightful little circular patch of bliss! Once again it is the fragrance that mesmerized me first, the eyes caught the colors a bit later! The first photo in the series of the same place, only I placed purple flowers in the foreground.
Just beside the exit there is a display that showcases the vegetables and fruits from the President’s Gardens. It is a complete delight too.
There is no entry fee to visit the Mughal Gardens. If you have not been there, you still have a few more days to go before it closes for the public and reopens later in August 2017.
I love going there first time I went as a school kid..
And it is so tough to believe they grow all these beautiful flowers in Delhi…
I agree Prasad, it doesn’t feel like Delhi at all! Wow you went there as a kid!
What a coincidence ???today I am also writing post on Mughal Garden.
As usual very well written post !
Looking forward to your post Mahesh!
Me too wanted to join with Mahesh Sir , but could not go as he sent some pictures showing huge crowd so I with my kids skipped on second Saturday. Pictures are very beautiful . I think , maximum numbers of roses are present here in this garden , is it right ?
Yes Yogi, a better way would be to go on a weekday, ask the kids to bunk the school for a day! 😀
wow… such an eye soothing pictures Ma’am…Beautiful photography…
Thank you so much!
Grand and gorgeous, beautifully decorated and maintained.
I so agree 😀
This is fantastic. Excellent captures of the blooms.
Thank you Indrani!
Wow! I went there last year. It is fabulous and very well maintained place.
Thanks for the amazing pictures 🙂
Thank you Ankita, it was my first visit and I will surely go back!
What a flower paradise. Pansies reminded me of home and my cousin Anyuta is particular. The colloquial name of these flowers is “Anyuta’s eyes” in Ukrainian and Russian. I have the fondest memories of Delhi and will try to visit this garden if I ever make my way to the city again.
Your cousin has a lovely name. And I hope I will visit Russia and Ukraine one day! If you are in Delhi do let me know, we should catch up for coffee or if you prefer tea!
So beautiful pics 🙂 Great post.
Thank you Rupam!
Despite living close by, I have never visited it! Thank for the share Mridula! 🙂
Kokila then let us meet sometime!
My brother and family went there last week and sent me pics. These are so beautiful. Lovely captures as usual!
Thank you so much!
Have heard a lot about it…After seeing these pictures, I am convinced that given a chance, one should not miss this. Awesome pictures !!
Thank you Shaily, this was my first visit and I am suitably impressed!
Nice pics Mridula. Flowers always warm my heart. Putting this on my list for the next visit to Delhi.
Vibha it is open to public only during certain months so I hope your visit will coincide with it!
OMG! Awesome! I would love to be one among the several gardeners in such a heavenly place! Thanks a lot for the wonderful shots, Mridula 🙂
Thank you Sindhu!
Haven’t yet visited. The flowers look so gorgeous!! <3 HAVE To visit next time and explore Delhi a little more 🙂
Yes Divsi even I went for the first time in spite of living in NCR for such a long time.
Wow! Looks like a fabulous place. I hear it is open only for a few days in a year. Is that true?
Yes the official website says it is open to public from August to March 12 this year.
Its so nice post mam… even I won’t visited this place but its a pleasure to know about this place.
Thank you Neha, I hope you will visit it sometime too!
Beautiful collection and organization of the garden, the colors are very soothing and thank you Mridula for taking us on a virtual tour of this splendid garden through your pictures! 🙂
Do visit it sometime 😀
It is always a joy visiting the Mughal Gardens. An oasis in an other wise chaotic Delhi traffic ! Great pictures, reminded me of my childhood trip with my family
I missed out on taking Chhavi this year but I will surely go back with her next year!
Very nice…
Thank you Rajeev!