The Hindu : New Delhi News : Open season at Mughal Gardens

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 11, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Open season at Mughal Gardens

Staff Reporter

NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC: Flowers in full bloom at Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan over the weekend. Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI: The magnificent Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan here opened to the public on a rainy note on Saturday. However, the wet weather didn't deter visitors, as there were busloads of eager people who arrived at the gardens bright and early.

A highlight of the late winter months every year, the Mughal Gardens in full bloom give visitors a chance to see a riot of colourful flowers in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Going beyond just the usual flowers, there are also exotic blooms for those who like something out of the ordinary. There are tulips, lilies, narcissus, hyacinths and daffodils all set to entice the hundreds of people who come calling at the gardens. Only on a "short viewing", tulips may be one of the most popular flowers in the garden, but they will be at their best only till February 18 as they don't last long. And judging by the weather, their stint at the gardens may be even shorter.

Those who prefer green flowers can troop into the Cactus Corner that has been created for viewers in the main Mughal Gardens. Apart from big fat cactus plants, there is also a herbal garden as well as a variety of bonsai plants on display.

The sweet smell of roses will greet visitors as they walk through the broad sandstone pathways walking towards the Lutyens' imposing dome. Another common aspect President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam shares with Jawaharlal Nehru is roses; while Nehru always pinned a rose on his lapel, Dr. Kalam now has a garden full of them.

With 128 varieties of roses in the garden, there is the almost black "Oklahoma'' and the mysterious sounding "Lady X'' in shades of blue and even a "green'' rose. A favourite of Rashtrapati Bhavan, roses may have always been part of the planting pattern, but this time there is a fragrant rosary.

Bringing together roses with the best smell, the rosary has been introduced on the advice of the President.

The Mughal Gardens will be open to the public on all days up to March 18 except Mondays when the place will be closed for maintenance. The visiting hours are 10-30 a.m. to 4-30 p.m. The Gardens will remain closed on March 3 and 4 for Holi.

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