THIS YEAR'S ATTRACTIONS - FLORAL CARPETS, CACTUS CORNER AND BONSAI

The Udyanotsav of Rashtrapati Bhawan - 2012, the annual opening of Mughal Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan including the Musical Garden, the Spiritual Garden, the Herbal Garden, Bonsai garden and the Bio-diversity Park, opens to the general public from February 10th. The Gardens will be open to the general public on all days from February 10 to March15 from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Entry into the Gardens will be open only upto 4 P.M.

However, the Udyanotsav shall remain closed on every Monday, during this period on account of maintenance activities. Further the Udyanotsav shall also remain closed on February 15 on account of a programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan and also on March 8 on account of the Holi Festival.

This year the attractions will be floral carpets, the Cactus Corner and Bonsais. A new concept of making of floral carpets on the lawns has been introduced for the first time to garden lovers. A new Bonsai garden has also been established to enrich the variety of collections and styles, with about 200 Bonsai plants. A cactus corner has also been created.

The entry and exit into the Gardens will be from Gate No. 35 of the President's Estate, which is located at the extreme end of the Church Road, about 300 meters West of Cathedral Church.

Entry for physically challenged people using wheelchairs will be through the Rashtrapati Bhavan Reception. Such persons can arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan through Hukmi Mai Marg or Rajpath.

Visitors are requested not to bring any water bottles, briefcases, handbags/ladies purses, cameras, radios/transistors, cell phones, any writing material, umbrellas, arms/ammunitions and eatables. Such articles, if any, will not be allowed to be carried into the Mughal Gardens and will have to be deposited at the entry point at the owner's risk.

Schools wishing to organize a visit for children to the Mughal Gardens during this period may contact Section Officer (Invitation Section), President's Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi 110 004 on telephone numbers 23012960 & 23015321 Extn.4479 and fax number 23013189, two days in advance so that their entry can be arranged on a priority basis.

This release issued at 1300 hrs.

BACKGROUNDER ON THE MUGHAL GARDENS