Farthest of all, the Circular Garden is also known as the Sunken Garden or Pearl Garden because of its shape. Originally called the Butterfly Garden, its amphitheater like structure has rings of flower beds that are planted with fragrant varieties of stock, phlox and pansies of different colours, marigold, viola, alyssum and many others during summer annuals.
The Change of Guard ceremony is a military tradition whose origins are lost in antiquity. From time immemorial, guards and sentries at palaces, forts and defence establishments change periodically to enable a fresh body of troops to take charge. At Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ceremonial Army Guard Battalion is responsible for providing ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India. The ceremony has been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and public-friendly. The venue has been shifted to Forecourt of Rashratapati Bhavan, with easier public access.
House Hold Cavalry of The President
Considered as The President’s Personal Troops, The President Bodyguard (PBG) is the Household Ceremonial Cavalry Regiment of The President, stationed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is the oldest cavalry Regiment in the Indian Army and the senior most amongst all the Regiments of the Indian Army.
“The President’s Polo Cup" was established in 1975 under the patronage of the late Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, who served as the Patron-in-Chief of the Indian Polo Association (IPA) at that time. The IPA was associated with the President's Bodyguard (PBG), which managed the tournament on behalf of the President's Secretariat.
Built in the year 1925 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Clock Tower is a heritage building. Originally known as the Band House, it was built for band practices of the British Army. The Clock Tower is located in Schedule B of the President’s Estate which now serves as the reception for the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex (RBMC). Previously, it was used as the post office of Rashtrapati Bhavan and also for residential quarters.
One of the important gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan are the central lawn. Square in shape with its side measuring forty five metres, the central lawn serves the main venue for the annual 'At Home' ceremonies hosted by the President of India on Republic Day and Independence Day.
Known as Sahastrabahu Avlokiteshvara, the one thousand armed sculpture of Lord Buddha was a gift from the Government of Vietnam to India’s second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The Sanskrit work Sahastrabahu means ‘one with 1000 arms’ and Avlokiteshvara means, ‘The lord who looks upon the world in compassion.’ This avatar of Buddha is a personification of compassion. It is believed that the thousand hands allow Lord Buddha to reach out and help the sufferers.
The magnificent Ganatantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan bears testimony to the historic moment of the swearing in ceremony of Independent India's first government.
Long Drawing Room (LDR), as the name suggests, is a long conference room of the Rashtrapati Bhavan where the President used to host the annual conferences of Governors/Lieutenant-Governors. This room is also used by the Hon’ble President to attend meetings with select groups and organizations. Situated near the Ganatantra Mandap, the Long Drawing Room has two doors that open to the corridors of North Drawing Room and the South Drawing Room on either end.
The North Drawing Room (NDR) is one the formal rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan where the Indian President receives the Visiting Heads of State. Located near the Ganatantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan, this tastefully done room with grand Burmese teak paneling on the walls and beautiful wooden furniture provides an appropriate setting for the meetings of Heads of State. It is mostly teak that has been used in Rashtrapati Bhavan, however, for decorative furniture, “padauk, shisham, ainee, blackwood, poon, koko, walnut and ebony” were also used.
