Every year, around February, something funny happens in Delhi. Your feed fills up with people standing in front of tulips, roses, and a giant white dome. That’s Amrit Udyan — the President’s own garden — and honestly, once you know the story behind it, it’s even more fun to visit.
So What Exactly Is Amrit Udyan?
It’s a 15-acre garden inside Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President of India’s official home in Delhi. For most of the year, it’s closed off, sitting quietly behind the President’s residence. But for a few weeks a year, the gates open and regular people like you and me get to walk through it.
That’s the magic of it. You’re not just seeing a pretty garden — you’re walking through the same grounds as the President, right next to one of India’s most iconic buildings.
It Used to Be Called Something Else
Until 2023, this garden was known as the “Mughal Gardens,” a name inspired by its Mughal-style design. In January 2023, the President’s Secretariat gave it a new name — Amrit Udyan — timed with India’s 75 years of independence celebrations. The old signboard came down, and the new one went up.
The change got people talking; some loved it, some had questions, and that’s fine — that’s how it goes with anything symbolic. But here’s the fun part: the garden itself is way older than its new name. It was designed nearly a century ago by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the same man who designed Rashtrapati Bhavan. He mixed two garden styles into one — the structured water channels and terraces of Mughal gardens, inspired by gardens in Kashmir and around the Taj Mahal, with the relaxed, informal charm of English garden design. That blend is still what makes this place so unique, whatever it’s called.
What You’ll Actually See Inside ‘Amrit Udyan’
This isn’t just one garden — it’s a bunch of gardens stitched together, and each part has its own vibe.
The Rectangular Garden is the postcard-perfect part, with water channels, fountains, and neat flower beds arranged in patterns.
The Long Garden is where the roses live, along with trees and creepers lining the walkways.
The Circular Garden — also called the Sunken Garden or Butterfly Garden — has a central pool, fountains, and some of the most fragrant flowers in the whole complex.
And if you’re going with kids, there’s a lot for them too. There’s a children’s section called Bal Vatika, with a fun spot called “Nature’s Classroom” built out of a dead tree, where kids can join quizzes and poetry activities. There’s also a calming Bonsai Garden, a Banyan Garden with barefoot reflexology paths, and the crowd favourite — Babbling Brook, a little man-made stream with tiny waterfalls that’s become one of the most photographed corners of the garden.
Flower lovers, this is your place. Over 150 varieties of roses and tulips bloom here, along with daffodils, lilies, and nearly 5,000 dahlias planted along the lawns. There are gorgeous old trees too, like Neem, Jamun, Pine, and Cypress, some standing here for decades. Most flower beds even have little QR codes so you can scan and learn exactly what you’re looking at.
And don’t skip the Central Lawn. This is where the President hosts big national celebrations, including receptions on Republic Day and Independence Day. Standing there, with Rashtrapati Bhavan towering behind you, genuinely feels special.
Two Seasons, Two Totally Different Looks
Here’s something a lot of people don’t know — Amrit Udyan isn’t a once-a-year thing anymore.
There’s a Winter Edition, usually from February to March, when tulips and roses are at their absolute best. This year it ran from February 3 to March 31, 2026.
Then there’s a newer Summer Edition that celebrates India’s own native flowers, things like Canna and Indian blanket flower, that thrive in the heat. The 2026 summer edition ran from August 16 to September 15.
Both editions usually stay open six days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm, and are closed on Mondays for maintenance, so the garden stays fresh for the next set of visitors.
Planning to Visit?
Good news first — entry is completely free.
Book your slot online, in advance, through the official website, visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in. Bookings for a day usually close by 10 am the day before, so don’t wait till the last minute.
Head to Gate No. 35 on North Avenue Road; that’s where you’ll enter and exit. If you’re taking the metro, there’s a shuttle bus running every 30 minutes from Central Secretariat Metro Station straight to the gate.
Some days are reserved specially for defence personnel, senior citizens, women’s groups, and differently-abled visitors, a lovely touch that makes sure everyone gets their moment in the garden.
Keep your bag light. You can carry your phone, keys, a purse, water bottle, and baby milk bottles, but skip anything extra since security checks are thorough.
There’s a set path for visitors, so you naturally flow from one garden to the next, ending with the showstopper roses in the Circular Garden. Along the way, you’ll find drinking water points, first-aid stations, and clean restrooms, so it’s an easy, comfortable walk even with family in tow.
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Amrit Udyan isn’t just a garden; it’s a rare peek into a part of Delhi most people never get to see. It’s history, horticulture, and a little bit of national pride, all rolled into one beautiful, walkable space. Whether you’re chasing the perfect tulip photo, bringing your parents for a peaceful evening out, or want a break from the city’s noise, this garden delivers every single time.
Just don’t forget to book your ticket early. Everyone in Delhi is trying to get in.
