Essay On Rashtrapati Bhavan

The magnificent edifice of Rashtrapati Bhavan, i.e. the official Residence of the President of India, is one of the largest buildings of its kind in the world. This structure of red and cream sandstone which was designed to be the the home of the Viceroys of India, took eight years- 1921-1929- to build and cost about 14 million rupees. This building, which was designed by the British Architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, is a mixture of Indian and Western schools of architecture. The stately columns after the Roman and Greek Style, the Dome adopted from Buddhist stupas, the symmetry typical of Mughal architecture and the broad courts characteristic of English houses, have all been fused to create a new style of architecture, simple and yet imposing.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens are open to the public in February every year.

Main garden: Two channels running North to South and two running East to West divide this garden into a grid of squares. There are six lotus shaped fountains at the crossings of these channels. Whereas the energetic fountains rising up to a height of 12 feet create a soothing murmur that enthralls the visitor, the channels are so tranquil in their movement that they seem frozen. In the channels at appropriate times of day can be seen reflections of the imposing building and the proud flowers. There are wooden trays placed on stands in the centre of the channels where grain is put for the birds to feed upon.

Terrace garden: There are two longitudinal strips of garden, at a higher level on each side of the Main Garden, forming the Northern and Southern boundaries. The plants grown are the same as in the Main Garden. At the centre of both of the strips is a fountain, which falls inwards, forming a well. On the Western tips are located two gazebos and on the Eastern tips two ornately designed sentry