What Is Amrit Udyan — A Quick History
The garden most Delhiites grew up calling the Mughal Garden has had a name change. In 2023, during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, it was officially renamed Amrit Udyan — meaning the Garden of Nectar. The new name felt fitting. The place has always had that quality — a sense of abundance and calm that’s hard to put into words but impossible to miss once you’re inside.
The garden’s design story goes back to the early 20th century. It was conceived as a blend of two very different traditions — the formal geometry of Mughal Charbagh design, with its characteristic four-quadrant layout and central water channels, and the freer, more romantic style of English landscape gardening. The result is a space that feels both grand and intimate — structured enough to awe you, relaxed enough to make you want to stay.
It sits inside the Rashtrapati Bhavan estate at Amrit Udyan Marg, President’s Estate, North Avenue Road, New Delhi — a location that puts it at the very heart of the capital’s ceremonial core.
The 2026 Opening Dates — Both Sessions Explained
Amrit Udyan doesn’t stay open all year. That’s part of what makes visiting it feel like an event worth planning for. The garden opens in two separate seasonal windows:
Winter / Spring Session 2026 (Confirmed):
- Opens: February 3, 2026
- Closes: March 31, 2026
- Special closure: March 4, 2026 (Holi)
- This is the more popular session — pleasant weather, roses in full bloom, soft morning light, and the kind of crowd that’s busy but not overwhelming if you time it right
Summer / Annual Session 2026 (Expected):
- Expected opening: Around August 16, 2026
- Expected closing: Around September 14, 2026
- Quieter, greener, and damp with post-monsoon freshness — lotus ponds come alive, the lawns deepen in colour, and the garden feels more untamed and lush
- Crowd levels are noticeably lower, which makes this session ideal for anyone who finds the winter rush too busy
Important: Summer session dates are based on previous years’ patterns. Final dates for both sessions are announced officially by Rashtrapati Bhavan. Always verify at visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in before heading out — a quick check the night before can save you a wasted trip.
Daily Timings — When to Arrive and When You Must Leave
The garden follows fixed daily hours in both sessions:
- Opening time: 10:00 AM
- Closing time: 6:00 PM
- Last entry: 5:15 PM — after this, no new visitors are allowed in
- Weekly closing: Every Monday (for maintenance)
- Special closure: March 4, 2026 (Holi)
The last entry cutoff at 5:15 PM is strict. Arriving after 5:00 PM means you’ll likely only see half the garden before closing bells ring. Plan for at least two to three hours inside — rushing through Amrit Udyan defeats the purpose entirely.
Best time of day to visit: Weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The light is softer, crowds are thinner, and the garden is at its most photogenic.
Entry Fee — Completely Free, But Booking Is Mandatory
Here’s the detail that surprises most first-time visitors: entry to Amrit Udyan is entirely free. There is no ticket cost for any visitor — Indian, foreign, student, senior citizen, or otherwise.
But free does not mean walk-in without any formality. You must register before entering, either online in advance or at a kiosk on the day of your visit.
Online Booking — The Recommended Route:
- Visit the official Rashtrapati Bhavan visitor portal: visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in
- Slots are booked hourly — choose the time slot that works for your day
- One mobile number = one booking only
- A single booking can cover up to 30 visitors from your group
- School groups get a higher limit — up to 100 students under one school booking
Walk-in Booking:
- Self-service kiosks are set up near Gate No. 35 for on-the-spot registration
- Works well if you’re a solo traveller or a small group visiting spontaneously
- On busy weekends, kiosk queues can be long — online booking saves significant time
What to carry:
- Your digital visitor pass open on your mobile — paper printouts are not required or encouraged
- A valid government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or Passport
How to Reach Amrit Udyan — All Options Covered
The garden is well-connected to the rest of Delhi by metro, bus, and road. Getting here is genuinely one of the easier parts of the visit.
By Metro (Most Recommended):
- Central Secretariat Metro Station (Yellow Line and Violet Line) — approximately 2 km from the garden. This is the best option for most visitors
- Shivaji Stadium Metro Station — approximately 2 km away; useful if you’re coming from the Airport Express Line side
- Free shuttle service runs from Gate No. 4 of Central Secretariat Metro Station directly to the garden entrance near Gate No. 35 — completely free, and a smooth ride that takes around 10 minutes
By Train:
- New Delhi Railway Station — approximately 4.4 km
- Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station — approximately 9.4 km
- Old Delhi Railway Station — approximately 9.5 km
From any of these stations, the metro to Central Secretariat is the fastest onward route.
By Road:
- Just 2.7 km from Connaught Place — a 10-minute cab or auto ride
- Parking is available near Gate No. 35, though it fills up quickly on weekend mornings. Arriving before 10:30 AM helps you find a spot comfortably
- Using the metro and free shuttle is strongly recommended over driving on busy winter weekend days
By DTC Bus:
- Several bus stops within 0.7 to 2 km of the garden:
- Gurudwara Rakabganj — 0.7 km
- RML Hospital — 0.8 km
- Kendriya Terminal — 1.1 km
- Krishi Bhawan / Central Secretariat Gate No. 2 — 2.0 km
Entry gate: All visitors must enter through Gate No. 35, on North Avenue Road near Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is the only public entry point.
What You’ll See Inside — A Garden That Changes With Every Season
Amrit Udyan is not one thing. It’s several gardens layered within each other, and what you encounter depends entirely on when you visit.
Seasonal Flower Beds: In winter, the approach pathways are lined with precision — roses arranged in neat rows of red, pink, yellow, and white; beds of petunias, pansies, and marigolds in structured symmetry. In summer, the focus shifts to annuals, lilies, and lotus blooms, with the greenery becoming fuller and slightly less formal
Bonsai Garden: One of the most underrated sections. A collection of miniature trees in careful pots, some of them decades old, arranged in a quiet corner that most visitors rush past. Worth spending 10 minutes here — it has a meditative quality unlike anywhere else in the garden
Herbal Garden: Becomes especially alive during the summer session, when warmth draws out the scent of tulsi, lemongrass, and neem. A gentle, fragrant section that slows your pace naturally
Bal Vatika: The children’s area — open lawns with the famous 225-year-old Sheesham tree at its centre. Children play freely here while adults sit in its generous shade. The tree’s age gives the whole section a grounded, timeless feeling
Circular Lawn and Lotus Ponds: The visual heart of the garden. In winter, the Circular Lawn offers clear sight lines to Rashtrapati Bhavan’s grand silhouette. During the summer session, lotus ponds reflect the sky and shimmer after rain — some of the best photography moments in the entire garden happen here
Musical Fountains: Particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the light changes and Rashtrapati Bhavan begins to glow behind the water. This area becomes a natural stopping point for almost everyone — find a bench near the fountain and let the evening settle in
Visitor Rules and Restricted Items — Read Before You Pack
Security at Gate No. 35 is firm, polite, and thorough. Knowing what you can and cannot carry will make your entry smooth and stress-free.
Allowed inside:
- Mobile phone (photography permitted)
- Small wallet and purse
- Baby bags with water, milk, or infant essentials
Not allowed:
- Backpacks or large bags — deposit these at the cloak room before entry
- Professional cameras or video equipment — mobile photography only
- Outside food, paan, gutka, or cigarettes
- Arms, ammunition, or any item flagged under security guidelines
Practical note: Arrive at your booked time slot precisely — late arrivals may have to wait outside until a slot clears. The guard checking passes at the gate is friendly but firm about timing.
Facilities Inside — What the Garden Provides
Rashtrapati Bhavan has thought carefully about the visitor experience. Here’s what’s available once you’re inside:
- Free shuttle service: From Central Secretariat Metro Gate No. 4 to Gate No. 35 — runs during visiting hours in both sessions
- Cloak room: For bags and items not permitted inside
- Booking counter / kiosks: Near Gate No. 35 for walk-in registrations
- Food court: Light snacks, hot chai, and cold drinks — seating available for a mid-walk break
- Souvenir shop: Near the exit — postcards, fridge magnets, and books related to Rashtrapati Bhavan and the garden
- Wheelchairs: Available free of charge for elderly visitors or those with mobility challenges
- Purified drinking water stations: Scattered across the garden — carry a refillable bottle
- First aid room: Available within the complex
- Clean restrooms: Near the main entrance and inside the complex
- Parking: Near Gate No. 35 — limited space, fill quickly on weekends
Special Visiting Days — Reserved for Specific Groups
Each season, certain days are designated for specific communities:
- Athletes and Sportspersons Day — reserved exclusively for athletes and sportspersons, with no general public crowds
- Teachers Day — one day per session set aside for teachers visiting in a calmer, less crowded environment
Exact dates for these special days are announced each season along with the official schedule. Check the Rashtrapati Bhavan website for confirmation closer to your planned visit.
Winter vs Summer — Which Season Should You Choose?
This is the most common question from first-time visitors. Here’s an honest, practical comparison:
Choose Winter (February–March) if:
- You want comfortable walking weather with cool mornings
- You prefer structured, colourful flower beds and classical garden symmetry
- This is your first visit and you want the “full” Amrit Udyan experience
- You don’t mind slightly larger crowds, especially on weekends
Choose Summer (August–September) if:
- You prefer fewer crowds and a more personal, unhurried experience
- You enjoy lush, dense greenery and open lotus ponds
- You like the freshness and fragrance that comes after monsoon rain
- You want quieter pathways and more reflective time inside
Neither season is the wrong choice. The garden simply changes its personality — not its quality.
Things Nobody Tells You Until You’ve Visited Once
A few lessons worth learning before you go rather than after:
- The garden is larger than it looks on any map — a full walk easily takes two to three hours. Comfortable, broken-in shoes are not optional
- Arriving exactly on time or slightly early at your slot is essential — late arrivals can face waiting time or partial entry
- Carry only what fits in a small purse or pocket — large bags go to the cloak room, which adds waiting time on both entry and exit
- Book the earliest possible slot — not because it fills up first, but because early morning light is the most beautiful inside the garden and animals (there are many birds) are most active
- Avoid the last slot of the day — entry after 5:00 PM leaves barely enough time to walk half the garden before closing
For Foreign Tourists — A Quick Note
Amrit Udyan is one of those rare Delhi experiences that needs no translation or prior knowledge of Indian history to enjoy. The garden speaks for itself.
Foreign visitors should carry a passport copy as ID proof at the gate. Modest clothing — shoulders covered, knees covered — is appropriate and comfortable. The free shuttle from Central Secretariat Metro makes navigation simple even without familiarity with Delhi’s road network. Mobile photography is permitted, which means your phone is all the camera equipment you need.
The garden pairs naturally with nearby attractions: the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, India Gate (approximately 3.5 km), and Rajpath / Kartavya Path are all easily reachable within the same half-day outing.
Quick Reference — Everything at a Glance
- Garden name: Amrit Udyan (formerly Mughal Garden)
- Location: Amrit Udyan Marg, President’s Estate, North Avenue Road, New Delhi
- Entry fee: FREE — booking mandatory
- Entry gate: Gate No. 35, Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Winter session: February 3 – March 31, 2026 (confirmed)
- Summer session: ~August 16 – September 14, 2026 (expected)
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:15 PM)
- Closed every: Monday
- Special closure (2026): March 4 (Holi)
- Online booking: visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in
- Walk-in booking: Kiosks at Gate No. 35
- Max visitors per booking: 30 (100 for school groups)
- Nearest metro: Central Secretariat (Yellow + Violet Line) — 2 km
- Free shuttle: From Central Secretariat Metro Gate No. 4
- Distance from Connaught Place: 2.7 km
- Best time to visit: Weekday mornings, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Photography: Mobile phones allowed — professional cameras not permitted
- ID required: Yes — government-issued photo ID mandatory
