Rashtrapati Bhavan; Museum, Ticket Price, Photos

The Story of Rashtrapati Bhavan

The roots of Rashtrapati Bhavan trace back to the early 20th century, when the British decided to relocate the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. The sprawling Raisina Hill was transformed from sparsely populated farmland into the center of British imperial administration. The grand edifice, originally called the Viceroy’s House, was conceived as an unmistakable symbol of imperial power and grandeur.

• Construction Period: Began in 1912, completed in 1929
• Architect: Sir Edwin Lutyens, who blended European neoclassical forms with Indian motifs such as chhatris, jaalis (lattice screens), and elephant carvings
• Scale: The complex covers 321 acres, with the main structure spanning 2,00,000 square feet and boasting 340 rooms
• Material and Challenges: Built with red and cream sandstone, its construction required the leveling of hills, blasting rocks, and a dedicated railway for transporting materials from across the country
• Cost: Over Rs 1.3 crore at the time, an astronomical sum in the early 20th century.

Since Independence, the Viceroy’s House was renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan—the President’s House. It became not only the residence of the head of state but also a place of national ceremonies, state hospitality, and democratic symbolism. View of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ceremonial forecourt and its Amrit Udyan gardens.

Architectural Splendor and Gardens

Rashtrapati Bhavan’s design is a masterful blend of the classical and the native, with a stunning copper-clad central dome inspired by the Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi—a confluence of cultures expressed in stone and symmetry. Four wings enclose stately halls such as the Banquet Hall, Ganatantra Mandap (formerly Durbar Hall), the Ashok Hall for grand ceremonies, and a marble hall displaying rare portraits.

The sprawling Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal Gardens) at the rear of the building is a horticultural wonder, laid out in a blend of Mughal and English landscape styles and covering some 15 acres. It bursts into color during open-visit days every spring, attracting thousands with its geometric beds, water channels, and fragrances. Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal Gardens) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with its terraces, lawns, and fountains.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex: Bridging Past and Present

An Immersive Experience

Located in repurposed historic outbuildings (like The Stables and The Coach House), the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex, inaugurated in phases from 2014, reimagines the museum experience for the digital age.

• Innovative Storytelling: Rather than focusing only on artifacts, the museum uses augmented and virtual reality, video walls, holographic sound and light displays, and multimedia exhibits to narrate the story of the Rashtrapati Bhavan across crucial moments in Indian democracy.
• Display Highlights: Viewers can explore the evolution of India’s presidency, ceremonial traditions, the President’s role, and diplomatic gifts and honors. Notable displays include a digital copy of the Constitution, presidential banners, archival photographs, and memorabilia from state visits.
• Layout: The museum is constructed largely underground to preserve the above-ground heritage, sweeping visitors on a journey from the colonial era to the present.

Banners of all Indian presidents displayed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Timings and Visitor Entry

The Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum is open to the public six days a week:

• Closed: Mondays
• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
• Entry Point: Gate No. 30 on Mother Teresa Crescent, New Delhi.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Ticket Price and Booking Details

Visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan (including the museum) must plan and book in advance, as walk-in entry is not allowed and strict security protocols apply.

Booking: Tickets must be booked online through the official Rashtrapati Bhavan portal.

Circuits: There are three separate visitor circuits:

• Circuit 1: Main building, central lawns, Banquet Hall, Durbar Hall (open Thursday to Sunday)
• Circuit 2: Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (open Tuesday to Sunday)
• Circuit 3: Amrit Udyan / Gardens (open seasonally, August to March).

What to Expect During a Visit

• Security Procedures: Photo IDs and advance registrations are mandatory. Only the registered visitors are allowed entry.
• Photo Policy: Photography is typically restricted in certain areas; always check posted instructions.
• Best Time to Visit: For the gardens, February–March is ideal; for the museum and main building, plan a weekday visit for fewer crowds.
• Special Events: The Change of Guard ceremony, held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, is a stirring spectacle open to the public.

Rashtrapati Bhavan viewed from the east, showing the sloping approach road and central dome flying the Indian flag.

A Living Institution

Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly Viceroy’s House), the Indian President’s official residence, featuring its prominent dome and colonnade
Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly Viceroy’s House), the Indian President’s official residence, featuring its prominent dome and colonnade
Today, Rashtrapati Bhavan is more than a resplendent building; it is an epicenter of statecraft, a canvas for national ceremonies, and a museum for the ideals and aspirations of India. Its museum welcomes students, historians, tourists, and citizens alike, making it not just a seat of governance but a classroom where the lessons of history, architecture, and democracy are vividly brought to life.

Visiting Rashtrapati Bhavan—walking through its echoing halls, past relics of colonial power and testaments of national pride—offers every Indian and global traveler not just a glimpse of majestic architecture, but of a living, evolving nation.

Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly Viceroy’s House), the Indian President’s official residence, with its Indo-Saracenic colonnade and dome