Entry Fee: FREE — for all visitors during the annual Udyan Utsav public opening.
On 15 acres within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex in Lutyens’ Delhi, one of India’s most exquisitely maintained gardens opens its gates to the public for a few weeks every year. Formerly known as Mughal Gardens and renamed Amrit Udyan in 2023 during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, this garden is the personal garden of the President of India — ordinarily private and inaccessible — thrown open each spring as a gift to citizens of the country it serves.
The garden combines the formal symmetry of Mughal charbagh design with English garden aesthetics, resulting in something that is genuinely unlike any other public garden in Delhi. Over 150 varieties of flowers bloom across the 15 acres during the February–March opening window — including rare tulips, fragrant roses, lilies, seasonal daffodils, bonsai trees, herbs, and exotic plants curated over decades by successive Presidents.
Mughal Garden / Amrit Udyan Ticket Price 2026
Entry Fee: FREE
| Category | Entry Fee |
| All visitors (Indian and foreign) | Free |
| Online booking required? | Yes — free ticket registration at rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in |
| Walk-in (without prior booking) | Permitted via Self-Service Kiosks at Gate No. 35 |
No payment is required at any stage. Online pre-booking is simply a time-slot registration to manage the number of visitors per hour — not a fee.
ID proof required: A valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Passport, school/college ID) must be shown at entry.
2026 Opening Dates and Timings
Based on the pattern from 2025 (February 2 – March 30):
2026 expected opening: The garden typically opens in early February for the Udyan Utsav festival and closes by end of March. For 2026 exact dates, visit the official portal: rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in (portal confirms dates each year approximately 2 weeks before opening).
| Detail | Information |
| Typical Open Period | Early February to late March (Udyan Utsav) |
| Days Open | Tuesday to Sunday |
| Closed | Every Monday (maintenance) + Holi + selected special event dates |
| Timings | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Last Entry | 4:00 PM (arrive by 4 PM) |
| Entry Gate | Gate No. 35, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Avenue Road |
Amrit Udyan — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal Gardens) |
| Location | Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Avenue Road, President’s Estate, New Delhi – 110004 |
| Managed By | President’s Secretariat / Rashtrapati Bhavan |
| Online Booking | rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in |
| Area | 15 acres |
| Designed By | Sir Edwin Lutyens (original 1928–29 layout) |
| Style | Mughal Charbagh + English garden |
| Flowers | 150+ varieties (roses, tulips, daffodils, lilies, exotic species) |
| Entry Fee | FREE |
| Entry Gate | Gate No. 35 |
| Nearest Metro | Central Secretariat (Yellow + Violet Line) ~2 km |
| Camera | Mobile phones permitted; DSLR and professional cameras NOT permitted |
| Backpacks | NOT permitted |
History and Significance
The Garden’s Origins
When Sir Edwin Lutyens was commissioned to design New Delhi (the colonial capital replacing Calcutta) in the early 20th century, Rashtrapati Bhavan (then called Viceroy’s House) was the centrepiece of his vision. Lutyens designed the gardens to surround and complement his building: formal gardens to the front and sides, and a personal garden behind — one that would draw on both the Mughal garden tradition of the subcontinent and the English garden traditions of the British Empire.
The result was completed in 1928–29. The Mughal charbagh influence is most visible in the formal rectangular garden — quadrilateral symmetry, water channels dividing the space into quadrants, and a central pool axis. The English garden influence is in the curved borders, mixed plantings, and the informal rose garden sections that allow for variety within a formal framework.
Development Under Successive Presidents
Each President of India has added to and shaped the garden according to personal interests:
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (2002–2007): Added the Herbal Garden with medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine — a reflection of Kalam’s background in science and his interest in practical botanical knowledge.
Pratibha Patil (2007–2012): Expanded the Bonsai section with rare specimens.
Ram Nath Kovind (2017–2022): Added Arogya Vanam (a wellness garden) with particular emphasis on therapeutic plants, including those referenced in ancient texts for health and immunity.
Droupadi Murmu (2022–present): Inaugurated the 2025 Udyan Utsav season; continued expansions to the herbal and native plant sections.
Renaming — Amrit Udyan (2023)
The garden was renamed from Mughal Gardens to Amrit Udyan (Garden of Nectar) in 2023, as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (75th anniversary of Indian independence) celebrations. The renaming was meant to emphasise the garden’s Indian identity.
What to See — The Seven Garden Sections
1. The Rectangular Garden (Main Garden)
The formal centrepiece. A classical Mughal charbagh layout — a rectangular garden divided into four quadrants by intersecting water channels with a central pool. The channel waters reflect the formal planting arrangements. The flower beds change pattern each season; during the Udyan Utsav window, they are planted at peak bloom with the year’s chosen palette.
The Rectangular Garden is flanked by wide terrace lawns from which the full symmetry of the layout is visible. This is the garden’s most photographed area.
2. The Rose Garden (Long Garden / Patta)
A long garden with an unusual layout — a slender strip bordered by roses. More than 135 varieties of roses are maintained here, including heritage varieties not found in public parks. The Rose Garden peaks typically in mid-February through mid-March — the overlapping bloom period of different variety types creates a continuous colour sequence across the weeks.
The varieties include deep red Damask roses, pale yellow tea roses, climbing roses on the bordering pergolas, and miniature rose varieties at ground level. The scent in the morning before visitors arrive is exceptional.
3. Circular Garden
A garden of concentric flower beds designed for viewing from the centre outward or from elevated walkways looking down into the circles. Colour sequencing in the circular beds is designed to read at a distance — a large-scale horticultural composition rather than a close-up viewing experience.
4. Herbal Garden (Arogya Vanam)
Added under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s tenure and expanded by subsequent Presidents. Contains plants used in:
- Ayurvedic medicine (tulsi, brahmi, ashwagandha, shatavari, neem, etc.)
- Unani medicine
- Folk healing traditions from different Indian regions
- Yoga and Naturopathy therapeutic plants
Each plant is labelled with its common name, botanical name, and traditional uses. The Herbal Garden functions as a walking educational exhibit in traditional Indian botanical knowledge.
5. Bonsai Garden
A collection of trained bonsai trees maintained over decades. Bonsai specimens at Rashtrapati Bhavan include some that are 30 to 40+ years old — sizes and shapes that require many years of cultivation. Species include Indian tropical and subtropical varieties alongside the classical Japanese bonsai forms.
6. Balvatika (Children’s Garden)
Added as part of the recent Rashtrapati Bhavan public programme. Includes:
- A tree house within the garden
- Nature’s Classroom — an outdoor educational exhibit about plants, ecology, and biodiversity
- Child-appropriate viewing points and explanatory panels
Note for families: Balvatika significantly increases the appeal of an Amrit Udyan visit for families with children — it converts what might be a passive botanical garden walk into an interactive educational experience for children.
7. Nursery and Seasonal Planting Exhibition
A section near the main horticulture operations where seasonal plants and propagation techniques are displayed. A practical demonstration of the scale of horticultural operations required to maintain a 15-acre presidential garden.
Special Access Days
During the Udyan Utsav, certain days are traditionally reserved for specific groups:
| Date | Reserved For |
| One designated day | Differently-abled persons |
| One designated day | Defence, paramilitary, and police personnel |
| One designated day | Women and tribal women’s self-help groups (SHGs) |
| One designated day | Senior citizens |
| Selected dates | Vividhta Ka Amrit Mahotsav — cultural programmes featuring regional traditions |
The specific dates for these groups change each year — check rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in during the booking window.
What Can and Cannot Be Brought Inside
Permitted:
- Mobile phones (photography allowed)
- Wallets and small purses
- Handbags (small)
- Baby milk bottles and infant food
- Umbrellas
Not Permitted:
- Backpacks, rucksacks, or large bags
- Professional cameras, DSLR cameras, or video equipment
- Eatables or packaged food
- Tobacco products in any form
- Hazardous items
- Pets
How to Book Free Tickets
Online Booking (Recommended)
Portal: rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in (navigate to Amrit Udyan / Book Now section during the open period)
Process:
- Visit rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in during the Udyan Utsav window
- Select date and available time slot
- Enter visitor details (name, ID type, ID number)
- Choose Delhi Government School / State Government / General category as applicable
- Submit; receive booking confirmation with QR code
- Show QR code + matching ID at Gate No. 35 on the day
Slots: Time-slot booking manages crowd density. Morning slots (10:00 AM–12:00 PM) are most popular for photography (soft light, cooler temperatures). Afternoon slots have more availability on weekdays.
Walk-in Registration
Visitors without prior booking can use the Self-Service Kiosks at Gate No. 35 for on-the-spot registration. Walk-in entry is permitted subject to capacity — on peak weekend and holiday days, walk-in capacity fills quickly by mid-morning.
How to Reach Amrit Udyan
Entry point: Gate No. 35, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Avenue Road, President’s Estate, New Delhi.
By Metro: The nearest metro stations are:
- Central Secretariat (Yellow Line + Violet Line interchange) — approximately 2 km from Gate 35; auto-rickshaw or 25-minute walk
- Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place) — approximately 2 km
- Patel Chowk (Yellow Line) — 1.5 km
By Road: Located on North Avenue Road within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex. Set destination “Amrit Udyan Gate 35” on maps. Auto-rickshaws from any central Delhi metro station take approximately 10–15 minutes.
Parking: Limited parking near Gate 35. Public parking available along North Avenue / South Avenue roads.
Best Time to Visit
February to early March: The optimal window for flowers. Early February sees the freshest plantings at peak bloom; mid-February is the apex of tulip and rose colour; late February and early March maintain good bloom levels across most varieties.
Morning visits (10:00 AM–12:00 PM): Soft light, cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and the freshest blooms before afternoon heat wilts more delicate flowers. The Rectangular Garden channels reflect morning sky beautifully.
Weekdays: Significantly fewer visitors than weekends. The garden’s formal layout rewards quiet exploration without other visitors in every frame.
Late March: The garden begins to close for the season; some blooms are past their peak. But the herbal and bonsai sections remain interesting regardless of the flower cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Mughal Garden / Amrit Udyan ticket price in 2026?
Entry is completely free. No fee is charged at any stage. Online registration is required to secure a time slot, but the registration itself is free. Valid government ID is required at entry.
Q2. When is Amrit Udyan open to the public in 2026?
Typically February to late March during the annual Udyan Utsav. The 2025 season ran February 2 to March 30. Check rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in from late January 2026 for the confirmed 2026 dates.
Q3. How do I book a free ticket for Amrit Udyan?
Visit rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in and book a time slot during the Udyan Utsav open period. Walk-in registration is also available at Self-Service Kiosks at Gate No. 35, subject to capacity.
Q4. Can I bring a DSLR camera to Amrit Udyan?
No. Professional cameras and DSLR cameras are not permitted. Mobile phones are allowed for photography throughout the garden.
Q5. What is the nearest metro station to Amrit Udyan?
Central Secretariat Metro Station (Yellow Line + Violet Line) is approximately 2 km from Gate No. 35. Auto-rickshaws and cabs are available at the station exit.
