A PREFACE

A garden visit is hardly a subject for a blog, but a visit to Mughal Gardens aka Rashtrapathi Bhavan Gardens changed that perception. Few lines from the official page itself are enough to prove the worth of this visit. As per the official page by Government – THE MUGHAL & OTHER GARDENS: CIRCUIT 3

Spread over a vast expanse of 15 acres, Mughal Gardens has often been portrayed, and deservedly so, as the soul of the Presidential Palace. The Mughal Gardens draw its inspiration from the Mughal Gardens of Jammu and Kashmir, the gardens around the Taj Mahal, and even miniature paintings of India and Persia.

A SHORT NOTE ON DELHI’S VVIP AREA

VVIP areas in Delhi always remain an enigma to any outsiders. maybe even for some pure Delhiites born and bought up here. For a few local colleagues. For them, these locations still feel like an unknown territory as far as entry and exit from these roads are concerned even after traveled a lot through.

When people pass through VIP Street in Delhi and catch a glimpse of the Parliament Building, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and other important buildings related to it, it gives people a special feeling. The area always looks so calm and peaceful within the bustling crowded other Delhi encircling it. A city for privileged ones within the city of common man both mixed together.

When you are in Delhi, you should always cherish the experience of Delhi and the familiarity with the capital itself. When a piece of news caught the eyes, visitors can enter Rashtrapati Bhawan Garden for a short duration without thinking twice, I decided to choose a convenient holiday and make a call to a few friends who ask to join.

MAYBE THE CLIMATE TOO PLAYS ITS PART

February and March in Delhi or the entire northern region are good times for outings. For those who like cool climates, this may be ideal for roaming. One can be outside without using many pieces of stuff over the usual outing outfit compared with the previous few weeks. The statement is to paint the picture of how cold Delhi would be in its peak winter.

And on a foggy weekend morning, I was waiting in a relatively long queue of Mughal Gardens. Maybe many of the colleagues were likely to be under the blanket then. That made one of the perfect Sunday spent in the capital for me. A sense of pride was evident in most of the faces who were good enough to beat the climatic inconvenience. They were all set for entering into the most important and secured piece of land in the capital of India.

Many locals along with tourists from many states were present in the long queue,  to get a feel of the surroundings exclusively made and maintained for the first person of the Nation. Rather than feeling as a picnic mood, my mind was framing up like a special guest invited to experience the most privileged area of India’s national Capital.

NO PHOTOGRAPHS PLEASE WITH CAMERA

In a place like the president’s estate, the security checks must be as hard as anyone can imagine. And it was rightly so that looked like Ok for all. Many personal kinds of stuff were not allowed to carry with. For those, arrangements were made very professionally to deposit safely at the entrance that can be collected after the visit. As expected cameras too were on the list that is banned. It caused a slight disappointment to each one. But luckily beyond any pondering of logic mobile phones were missing in the list of banned stuff.

HISTORY ON MUGHAL GARDENS

Some history is hard to erase or replicate or replace. The Mughal dynasty was ruled over different parts of India many centuries ago. But some contributions made by them are still not expired. Instead, know by that name itself even now. Mughal gardens are one such lovely location existing in many places like Delhi, Agra, Sri Nagar. Thousands of people still find time to pay a visit to those gardens due to its charmness.

This Mughal garden also comes in the same category. The British rulers after them were so fond of their system and tried to include its style with western culture. And this particular garden offers is a mixture of both. During the British era, the main contribution in developing Delhi with magnificent buildings and other infrastructure was by Sir Lyutens. He was the main Architect then. Because of which many VVIP locations in Delhi are still known by his name as Lyutens area. These are some of the most sensitive and most sought after areas among power circles.

The credit for the designing of RB gardens too goes to him. He tried to incorporate many aspects left by Mughals. The fact remains that neither it is in memory about what is the Mughal style of gardening nor can recollect about the English way of flowering or plants. The only word familiar with Delhi’s life was Lyutens of course. These historical messages were immaterial by the time we entered the garden.

THE FIREWORKS WITH FLOWERS

There, we were exposed to a rare sight that looked like fireworks. Fireworks containing all the colors in the world were landed safely in a green blanket. Eyes were recognizing only colors with different shapes and sizes first, leaving the rest of the things and atmosphere taking a backseat. And soon after we were mesmerized with the sight of a Rangoli. It was a beautiful big rectangular shape arrangement laid with different flowers in different colors. This was very close to the main entrance. It was like an Indian way of welcoming others seen in many homes in many places especially in the south.

The initial excitement was daunted to a painful reality. As we saw a board instructing everyone that “photography is strictly banned” as everyone thought a mobile camera become so useful in capturing these rare plants and flowers.

Remember we were in a place where a person considered to be the first among 1.30 Billions of Indians staying. A place where every type of security arrangements that the technology has developed so far might be in place. And any attempt to violate this rule may land in prison most likely. So even the distant thought of an adventurous click in whichever trick was out of scope.

SHAPES, CANALS, AND FOUNTAINS

There were many separations and identification for each part of the area. Those were like rectangular garden, circular garden, and long garden, etc. It was a feast for eyes to watch each different type of flowers and plants in the cool climate covered and slight mist over the whole area.

The entire huge area was arranged with colorful plants and designs. Also with water canals, walkways in between. The president’s building at the far end with the morning mist of winter was a delight to watch for all. Surveillance from security was so negligible compared with what we expected. Only very few policemen were seen here and there which came as a surprise.

As the time goes crowd was getting thicker and instructions were heard to move on slowly. The temptation was high to use the mobile to attempt for a few snaps. But even if it may look harmless the thought of abiding the rule inside the president’s premises was high on priority. While looking at others it also comes as a surprise. Some of them were like they are not interested in the tag of being a good citizen inside a sensitive zone as they were in. But found to be using their smartphones for capturing the rare species of plants and flowers.

THE VARIETIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS

Around 150 types of roses might have brought from different parts of the universe as per the information given to us. Many varieties of bougainvillea, daffodils, etc, etc were planted and maintained with utmost care. One more important variety was Tulips which may not be familiar across India. That it is only to be seen how attractive is that. To get brief know-how on its importance is that, one season in the month of April is dedicated Tulip flowers in Sri Nagar, India.

THE NAMES OF FLOWERS HAVE UNIVERSAL APPEAL

By admiring these rare landscapes and the fountains placed between them, I saw other people trying to capture every piece of attraction passing by with their smartphones. Soon I also made to change my resolve with regard to being a law-abiding citizen for a while. With due respect to the constitution and the prevailing laws finally, I took my phone out and started to have some photographs from whatever available spots to get the rare flowers around.

Attached photographs speak more words than I could write. The only interesting part they miss maybe how the flowers are named. Some of them curious, and sometimes looked funny. Some roses have the name of Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Belami, Black Lady, Paradise, Blue Moon, and Lady X. Mother Teresa, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Mr. Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Jawaharlal, Queen Elizabeth, Christian Dior. Arjun and Bhima from the epic Mahabharta were also on the list.

But the most striking name was LOVE given to a violet color flower. For me. it was like a symbolical gesture of appreciating the authorities or the respected Presidents who were agreed to open their private complex to the common man or Mango man reflecting the true meaning of Democracy. https://rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in/rbtour/circuit-3/mughal-gardens

• Link for official page by Government – THE MUGHAL & OTHER GARDENS: CIRCUIT 3
• Link for Wikipedia Page on general Mughal Gardens – Mughal Gardens