The Hindu : New Delhi News : Brand new attraction at Rashtrapati Bhavan's Mughal Garden

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 01, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Brand new attraction at Rashtrapati Bhavan's Mughal Garden

NEW ATTRACTION: Musical fountain dancing to the tune of patriotic songs

Strains of a soulful patriotic song lead people through the flowered paths of the much talked about Mughal Garden at Rashtrapati Bhavan to its new star attraction -- a musical fountain. Surrounded by a riot of colours from pure white to vibrant red, the water of the fountain dances to the tunes of a veena, patriotic songs and "Vande Mataram''.

A bit of local flavour in the sprawling sandstone building that Lutyens did not think of, the fountain is an addition to the gardens that officials are so proud about. Apart from its musical gift, the fountain also has coloured lights that are synchronised to change with the music.

"The fountain is at its best in the evening when the lights are on. Unfortunately most people never get to see it. But even without the lights, the water moving to the rhythm of the music is still wonderful,'' said an official.

Beside the musical fountain there are also big cages of parakeets. Certainly popular with little children, these attract groups of them who are frequently seen standing outside the cage pointing excitedly at the parakeets flying around in their wired homes.

While these new additions to Lutyens' gardens are attracting the attention of visitors, the real celebrities in this green are still flowers. From the bright yellow marigolds to the more exotic variety of blooms, tulips and rananculus -- which look like paper roses -- the gardens are at their flowery best. In keeping with images of Yash Chopra's fields of tulips still strongly in the minds of Bllywood regulars, tulips seeds are flown in from Holland. Yellow daffodils and hyacinth seeds are also flown in from there.

Bustling with people through the day, the garden has received 2 lakh visitors so far this year -- a far cry from the record-breaking 8 lakh visitors that the garden received last year. Officials believe it is the heat that is keeping people away. -- Mandira Nayar

-- Mandira Nayar

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