Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum opens its door from Friday

From the simulated battlefield with arms mounted on warriors, models of furniture designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the Viceroy’s residence, ceremonial coaches, photographs and memorabilia of the President’s Body Guard, to paintings of the 19th Century – all this and more would be up for public display at the new Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum from Friday.

The museum established at the erstwhile stable of Rashtrapati Bhavan that earlier housed horses and ceremonial coaches, is a story-telling experience where the story of this historic building is narrated using sound-light-video animations.

The museum also has a significant number of sketches and gifts received by successive Presidents from national and foreign dignitaries.

The museum will remain open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on gazetted holidays) and entry and exit for visitors will be through Gate No. 30 on Mother Teresa Crescent Road.

The visits, Rashtrapati Bhavan said, can be booked online at the website www.presidentofindia.

nic.in.

Stating that charges are imposed to enable Rashtrapati Bhavan maintain and improve services to public, the communication said visits to the museum will be completely free from August 1 to October 30 but thereafter there will be a nominal registration charge of Rs. 25 per head for adults, while entry would remain free for children below 12 years.

Visitors in groups would also get concessions. Groups of 30 people will be charged Rs. 600 lump sum per visit while Rs. 25 per visitor would be charged for each additional person.