Raj Bhavan's grandeur open for public for 2 weeks

The Raj Bhavan on Thursday threw its gates open to visitors, many of whom got to experience its grandeur and architectural beauty up close for the first time. As many as 380 visitors, who had registered for the ‘Raj Bhavan Heritage Walk’, got to be part of the guided tour, where they got to explore the 16-acre sprawling gardens fringed with century-old pine and fir trees. The Raj Bhavan authorities have decided to allow around 400 visitors in batches of 25 to 30, every day into the premises. The heritage walks will be conducted till August 31 between 4 pm and 7.30 pm. Governor Vajubhai Vala, who came up with the idea of making Raj Bhavan more accessible to the common man, however told reporters that the heritage walks might be extended if needed.

Stating that the walks will be an annual event (between August 15 and 31), Vala said that if there is more demand, then the walks will be organised twice a year. He also said that Raj Bhavan was open to changing the timings for the convenience of students of schools and colleges.

According to officials, the Raj Bhavan has already received around 8,000 applications from those wanting to be part of the tour. Visitors are greeted into Raj Bhavan by the live musical renditions by the Mysuru Palace band. Tourism department guides will take them through the gardens which host a variety of plants and trees, including the rare Rudraksha tree, which are indigenous to the Himalayan ranges. Many of the plants/trees have been planted by national and international dignitaries including former US president Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Visitors are then taken into the official quarters of the colonial building, which houses rare paintings and artefacts.

They are then shown a eight-minute film on Raj Bhavan and its history. The entire tour lasts around 20 to 25 minutes.

Visitors have to register themselves on the Raj Bhavan website through an online registration system.