Mughal Gardens to remain open for public

New Delhi, Mar 4: The Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhawan shall be open for the general public tomorrow, despite being a Monday, between 1030 hrs to 1730 hrs.

No entry, however, to the Gardens shall be allowed after 1630 hrs on March 5, according to a Rashpati Bhawan communique.

Generally the Gardens are kept closed for the public for maintenance purposes on Mondays. The exception has been made in view of them being closed on March 3 and 4 due to 'Holi'.

Entry shall be from Gate No 35, near North Avenue.

The Gardens would be open till March 23 but for the general public till March 18.

March 18 onwards 'special invitees' of the President -- like the physically challenged (March 20), visually challenged (March 21), Defence and Para-Military personnel (March 22) and farmers (March 23) -- would be visiting the Gardens.

Besides the Mughal Gardens, the President House is home to eleven other gardens including the now famous Herbal Garden, 'Musical Garden', 'Spiritual Garden' and 'Organic Garden', specially 'created' by President Kalam during his tenure.

While four lakh visitors were reported last year, the highest recorded so far, more than 234,000 people have visited the Gardens since they were declared open for public on February 10.

Visitors, who would be treated to more than 250 varieties of hybrid roses, Scandinavian tulips and bulbous annuals amidst Gothic structural ambience, are not allowed to carry articles like cameras, cellphones, water bottles, brief cases, handbags and eatables.

UNI