The multitude of colourful, fragrant flowers spread across the gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan mirror the diversity of India and its people, said President Pratibha Patil on Thursday as she visited the Mughal Gardens here, a day before they will be thrown open to the public.
Ms. Patil said the country comprises people from different castes, creeds and religion, and the gardens, comprising different varieties of flowers, give us the message to live in harmony with each other. She invited people to visit the ‘Udyanotsav' to soak in the splendour and magnificence of the flora on display. The annual opening of Mughal Gardens has been christened ‘Udyanotsav' since 2011.
This year the main attraction at the historic Mughal Gardens will be the floral carpets and a new bonsai garden with about 200 plants, besides a special cactus corner.
Floral carpets
Referring to the arrangements, an official from the Horticulture section of the President's Estate said: “This year we decided to try the floral carpets as it is both economical as well as beautiful. Floral carpet design is a manifestation of imagination and skill of the gardeners. It can be used to decorate homes, offices and also functions.”
A new Bonsai Garden has also been established to enrich the variety of collections and styles with about 200 Bonsai plants. A cactus corner has also been created. Self Help Groups (SHGs) set up to make the Estate an eco-friendly sustainable urban habitat will put up a stall for the sale of vermi-compost and organic compost manure, which are manufactured inside the Estate. There will also be a curio shop with different kinds of Rashtrapati Bhavan souvenirs for sale. Organically grown winter season vegetables will also be on display.
Visitors will be able to see different varieties of ornamental and medicinal plants at the Musical Garden, Spiritual Garden, Herbal Garden, Bonsai Garden and the Bio-diversity Park. The Gardens will be open to the public on all days from February 10 to March 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entry will be open only up to 4 p.m.
The Udyanotsav will remain closed every Monday for maintenance activities. It will also remain closed on February 15 and on March 8 on account of Holi.
