Rashtrapati Bhavan Palace

Address: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Raisina Hill, New Delhi 110004, India

Website: https://rashtrapatisachivalaya.gov.in

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India located on Raisina Hill in New Delhi, originally built as the Viceroy’s House during the British colonial period. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in the late 1920s, it is one of India’s largest governmental residences.

The complex comprises the main presidential mansion with about 340 rooms, extensive offices, and formal reception halls used for state functions. The grounds include the long-established Mughal Gardens, terraces and service buildings that together form a significant civic and architectural ensemble.

Constructed between the 1910s and 1920s as the centrepiece of the new Imperial capital of New Delhi, the building was repurposed as the presidential residence after India became a republic in 1950. The Mughal Gardens are a seasonal public attraction when opened for a few weeks each year.

Rashtrapati Bhavan stands on Raisina Hill near India Gate and the Parliament complex in central New Delhi, forming the ceremonial heart of the capital and easily reachable from major city arteries.

• Building size: The main building contains roughly 340 rooms and was completed in the late 1920s as the Viceroy’s House before becoming the presidential residence of independent India.
• Public access: The Mughal Gardens are normally open to the public seasonally, most often during February and March, under the Udyanotsav garden festival programme.

What to See#

• Mughal Gardens: Formal Mughal-style gardens designed within the presidential estate, featuring terraces, water channels and seasonal flower displays that are opened to the public for a few weeks annually.
• State rooms: Ceremonial rooms and state reception areas within the main building, including halls used for official functions and receptions hosted by the head of state.

Rashtrapati Bhavan sits at the western end of Rajpath in New Delhi. The nearest metro station on the Delhi Metro is Central Secretariat (Yellow and Violet lines); from Central Secretariat it is a roughly 10-15 minute walk to the Rashtrapati Bhavan precinct along Janpath/Rajpath. Vehicular access is via Rajpath and nearby roads in central Delhi.

If driving, Rashtrapati Bhavan is about 5-7 km from New Delhi Railway Station and about 18 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport depending on route and traffic. Note that public access to the building and gardens is controlled-visits to the official residence require prior booking for guided tours.

• Reserve the official guided tour online well in advance and arrive early - visits require pre‑registration and presentation of original government ID at security.
• If you plan to see the Mughal Gardens, check the seasonal public opening dates (they are open to the public only at specific times of year) and book those slots separately.
• Expect strict security controls and restrictions on bags and photography in parts of the complex; allow extra time for security checks when planning your visit.