Amrit Udyan Utsav 2024: Date, Venue and About Amrit Udyan

PWOnlyIAS February 17, 2024 05:43 1471 0

Amrit Udyan Utsav 2024 at Amrit Udyan, formerly known as the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi, is open for the public from February 2 to March 31.

Amrit Udyan Utsav 2024: Date, Venue and About Amrit Udyan

Amrit Udyan Utsav 2024 at Amrit Udyan, formerly known as the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi, is open for the public from February 2 to March 31.

About Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Architect: Amrit Udyan was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
- Lutyens collaborated with William R. Mustoe, the chief horticulturist of the Government of India.
- It was inaugurated by Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India, on January 18, 1930.
History: It was a venue for official ceremonies and receptions hosted by British viceroys, governors-general, Indian presidents, and prime ministers.
- Notable Guests: King George V and Queen Mary, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and Vladimir Putin.
- Inspiration for eminent personalities like Rabindranath Tagore and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Ecological Diversity
- Home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
- Boasts more than 250 varieties of roses, 60 varieties of bougainvillea, 50 varieties of dahlias, and many other seasonal flowers.
- Collection of medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as rare and endangered plants.
- Heaven for birds, hosting over 100 species of resident and migratory birds, along with butterflies, bees, squirrels, mongooses, and other small animals.
Name Change: Formerly known as the Mughal Gardens, renamed Amrit Udyan in 2021 by the President of India, Smt Draupadi Murmu.
- The new name reflects the essence and spirit of the gardens as a place of joy, peace, and harmony, and honors the contributions and sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters and citizens.
Caretaker: Maintained and managed by the Rashtrapati Bhavan under the supervision of the President’s Secretariat and the Horticulture Wing.

Categories of Garden in Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden covers an area of 15 acres and consists of several gardens, each with its own theme:

Types	Description
Long Garden/ Rectangular Garden/ Purdha Garden.	It is a formal garden, based on the Charbagh or the four-garden scheme, which represents the four rivers of paradise in the Quran. The garden is bordered by a raised sandstone terrace, which has a pavilion at each corner. The pavilion on the western end is called the Butterfly Pavilion, as it attracts many butterflies. The pavilion on the eastern end is called the Lotus Pavilion, as it resembles a half-open lotus flower.
Circular Garden/ Pearl Garden/ Sunken Garden.	It is an informal garden, which has a circular shape and a sunken level.
Herbal Garden/ Medicinal Garden/ Aushadhiya Udyan.	It is a functional garden, with collection of medicinal and aromatic plants, such as ashwagandha, brahmi, tulsi, and neem. The garden has more than 30 beds, each with a different plant.
Tactile Garden/ Sensory Garden/ Sparsh Udyan	It is designed for the visually impaired visitors, as well as the children and the elderly. The garden has a variety of plants, such as lemon grass, mint, lavender, and rosemary, which can be touched, smelled, and tasted. The garden also has a musical fountain, which plays soothing tunes and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
Bonsai Garden/ Miniature Garden/ Vaman Udyan.	It has a collection of bonsai, which are miniature trees grown in pots. The garden has more than 250 bonsai, which belong to different species, such as ficus, banyan, peepal, and pine.
Arogya Vanam/ Wellness Garden/ Swasthya Udyan.	It is a new garden, which was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind in 2018. It is a holistic garden, which promotes the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the visitors. The garden has a yoga pavilion, where yoga sessions are conducted for the visitors. The garden is a place of healing and harmony, as well as a source of inspiration and motivation.
Bal Vatika	It is a special garden designed for children, which includes attractions such as a 225-year-old Sheesham tree, a treehouse, and a Nature’s classroom.

About Mughal Gardens

Mughal gardens are a type of garden built by the Mughal dynasty.
- They ruled most of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 18th century.
- They were great patrons of art and culture.

Amrit Udyan

Features and Design of Mughal Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Water: It is the most essential and prominent element of the Mughal gardens and symbolizes life, purity, and abundance.
- Mughal gardens often have a central pool, fountain, or cascade, which is the focal point of the garden.
- The water is distributed through channels, canals, or aqueducts, creating a network of irrigation and circulation.
- The water reflects the sky, the plants, and the buildings, creating a sense of harmony and illusion.

Amrit Udyan

Charbagh Style: The Mughal gardens are based on a geometric layout, usually a square or a rectangle, which is divided into four equal parts by two perpendicular axes.
- This is the Charbagh or the four-garden scheme, which represents the four rivers of paradise in the Quran.
- The four quadrants are further subdivided into smaller sections, creating a grid of symmetrical patterns.
- The geometry creates a sense of order, proportion, and balance in the garden.
Plants: They includes both exotic and native species of trees, shrubs, herbs, and flowers.
- The plants are chosen for their aesthetic, medicinal, and symbolic values, and they are arranged in a way that creates contrast, harmony, and rhythm.
- Example: Roses, jasmine, tulips, lilies, marigolds, orchids, palms, cypress, mango, banana, and pomegranate.
Complimentary Structure: Mughal gardens are often associated with buildings, such as palaces, tombs, mosques, or pavilions, which are either located within or adjacent to the garden.
- The buildings are designed to complement the garden, and they often have features such as arches, domes, minarets, and balconies, which echo the shapes and forms of the garden.

Some of the Famous Mughal Gardens

The Mughal gardens are spread across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Iran, and they vary in size, style, and function:

Humayun’s Tomb Garden: Humayun’s Tomb Garden is the first garden-tomb in India, built by the widow of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, in the 16th century.
- The garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is considered to be the precursor of the Taj Mahal.
- The garden is a square, divided into four parts by water channels, and it has a central octagonal platform, on which stands the tomb of Humayun, made of red sandstone and white marble.
- The garden has several other tombs and monuments, such as the tomb of Isa Khan, a nobleman, and the Barber’s Tomb, a pavilion.
Taj Mahal Garden: The Taj Mahal Garden is the most iconic and celebrated Mughal garden, as it surrounds the Taj Mahal.
- Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor.
- The garden is a perfect example of the Charbagh scheme, with a central pool, four water channels, and four quadrants of lawns and flower beds.
- The garden has a raised marble platform, called the Mahtab Bagh, which is located opposite the Taj Mahal, across the Yamuna river.
Shalimar Gardens: The Shalimar Gardens are a pair of gardens located in Lahore, Pakistan, and Srinagar, India, both built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
- Shalimar Gardens in Lahore: They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and they consist of three terraces, each with a different theme and function.
  - The upper terrace, called the Farah Baksh, is the royal garden, with a marble pavilion, a large pool, and a cascade.
  - The middle terrace, called the Faiz Baksh, is the guest garden, with a hall, a fountain, and a canal.
  - The lower terrace, called the Hayat Baksh, is the public garden, with a baradari, a water tank, and a series of fountains.
- Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar: They are known as the Farah Baksh, and they are located on the banks of the Dal Lake.
  - They have four terraces, each with a different elevation and water source.
  - The gardens are famous for their chinar trees, which turn red in autumn, and their scenic views of the lake and the mountains.

Amrit Udyan

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Amrit Udyan Utsav 2024: Date, Venue and About Amrit Udyan

About Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Ecological Diversity

Categories of Garden in Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Long Garden/ Rectangular Garden/ Purdha Garden.

Circular Garden/ Pearl Garden/ Sunken Garden.

Herbal Garden/ Medicinal Garden/ Aushadhiya Udyan.

Tactile Garden/ Sensory Garden/ Sparsh Udyan

Bonsai Garden/ Miniature Garden/ Vaman Udyan.

Arogya Vanam/ Wellness Garden/ Swasthya Udyan.

Bal Vatika

About Mughal Gardens

Features and Design of Mughal Amrit Udyan/ Mughal Garden

Some of the Famous Mughal Gardens

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