The jewel of the President's residence, Mughal Garden

The mesmerizing Mughal Garden, in the vicinity of President of India’s house, New Delhi, sees a huge footfall each year for two reasons-

1.  The garden is open to public only for one month in a year during spring time
2.  Free Entry (hehe)

My plan to see the garden every year never materialized till March 2016 when hubby and I at last got a chance to visit it.

Vehicle parking is literally on the road. Though security personnel are deputed in every nook and corner, yet you park at your own risk. For those commuting via metro, alight at Central Secretariat metro station and hire an auto to Mughal Garden gate number 35.

Cameras are not allowed inside the premises. But hey! mobile phones are. All handbags or carry bags are deposited at cloak rooms, built separately for men and women. Get prepared to walk a long distancefrom the security check to the garden entrance, as well as inside the vicinity. The first eye catchy building is a white building with the words “Pranab Mukherjee Public Library”. Who misses a chance of a selfie with the name?

The sign boards and admin staff guide you the direction to follow. Divided into sections, the garden houses herbal plants, bonsai plants, musical fountain, spiritual garden, main Mughal Garden and vivid colorful flowers of the spring plants.

If only you like to walk and love nature, go to Mughal Gardens, else stay out of it. Sun shines overhead, hence advisable to cover your head and wear sunglasses. Even during the pleasant time of the year, the heat turns to be unbearable during the day.

The herbal plants section does not have many flowers, but surely educates you on the names of the herbs which are widely used in cosmetics or Ayurvedic treatments. So many names and so less time to read all. The following section is an interesting mix of bonsai plants.

                                           

These plants made me think how amazingly humans can modify the growth of plants in a little pot! Descend from this section to an over crowded area named Musical Fountains. The water springs up in different patterns on change of music tracks, usually patriotic songs of India. This surely is the most enjoyable place.

Musical Fountain

Lush green leaves bordering along the walls and railings adds to the charm of the flowers popping out from every inch through the bushes. Climbers and shady trees multiply the joys. The ground has mowed grass which is not allowed to walk over; I hate those who disrespect the rule and curse them under my breath! Just because the security personnel is kind enough not to shoot you down, does not mean you take undue advantage of the same! Several plants and flowers were sabotaged by silly people. Grrr!

The most beautiful part of the premises is the main Mughal Garden, surrounding the main building of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The beauty is beyond words. You have to look at the pictures.

After the full round of the place, a gallery with hanging pots and a gorgeous fountain surrounded by flowers in the pattern of terrace farming, you move into spiritual garden. This sections holds trees and plants that have been mentioned in the epic books or are related to spirituality; like Ashoka Tree from the Ramayan or the lemon shrub with zesty citrus aroma.

Drinking water counters have been installed at many places. Advisable to keep yourself hydrated every time you cross the water counters. Women and agricultural development societies have their stalls installed outside spiritual garden selling plants and apparels. Do peep in. Plants are available at very low prices!

As you walk out breathing fresh air and treating eyes to the brightest hues, you are tired. Even before you reach the cloak room, you’d be surrounded by hawkers selling papad and chips. Never mind, leave the pace with good memories and happy mind.

Some vital info-

• Operating time- 10 am to 4pm
• Open to public- Only from mid Feb to mid March, changes every year. 12thFeb to 19^th March was 2016.
• Water bottles, eatables, camera, hand bags not allowed inside the premises.