Rashtrapati Nilayam is the
one of two official retreats of the President of India in Bolaram, Hyderabad,
the other one being located in hill town of Shimla. So when it is too hot in
Delhi, President goes to Shimla and when it is too cold there it is Hyderabad
that hardly gets cold. Rashtrapati Nilayam is a 150+-year-old single storey
house, one of the many built by the Nizams of Hyderabad, but later served as
the residence of British resident at Secunderabad. Post independence it became
the President’s home in the south.
Spread over 90 acres, this
house in white is relatively small with one wing serving as the private area
with bedrooms and living area and the other wind housing a durbar hall and a
huge dining area. Private areas are very simple and reminded me of army
inspection Bungalows. Durbar Hall and dining hall are made lively by the row of
chandeliers that hang from their ceilings. Kitchen is an independent buildings
connected to the dining hall through an underground tunnel. Interesting feature
of this tunnel is the natural light provided from the openings in the ground
above at regular intervals. It is a simple tunnel that provides a safe and
secure porting of food from a kitchen that may have been located a bit away so
that the residents do not have to hear or smell the kitchen while the cooking
is happening. Besides this main building there are staff quarters. Staff lives
here through the year while the president possibility stays for few days only.
Various fruit gardens in the
campus seem to have been recently planted, as the trees are still young. Herbal
garden is a good concept, there is a bit of documentation provided in terms of
name, scientific name and the problems that the herbs help resolve. I wish
there was more information, but I also understand there is limitation of space
for display. This is possibly the biggest herbal plants collection that I have
seen in the country. Before the herbal garden, there is a display of
traditional irrigation ramp and a brief explanation of the same. Some of the
trees in the campus were really old. Along with the Deccan rocks old trees
create natural spaces to sit under and enjoy the vast nature reserve in this
campus.
Opening up of the
Rashtrapati Nilayam for the public started recently and entry is free. Even on
a Monday we could see a decent crowd that included many school groups, families
and camerapersons from every newspaper & TV Channel. Given the nicely laid
roads, landscaped gardens and open space, you wish it should be open to public
for the time when president is not in town, may be for few hours for morning
and evening walks as this part of the city does not have too many open public
spaces. There is a need to provide information on the opening and closing dates
and timings, information of what is allowed inside the campus and any
restrictions. Even on the official website, nothing is mentioned.
How you wish all our public
places were so well maintained!
Since it open only for a
limited period every year, the place becomes really exclusive, so visit it if
you can when it’s open.
Click here for Airline Tickets and Cheap Air Tickets on Air India
Click here for Airline Tickets and Cheap Air Tickets on Air India
3 comments:
It look beautiful and very well maintained and worth visiting.
But one wonders if 100s of rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi are not enough? Now in days of climate control why does he needs many homes.
It is beautiful Desi Traveler. My bigger demand is that it should be open to public for 360 days when he is not in town. After all it is maintained using public money.
Very nice indeed!
Post a Comment