Rashtrapati Bhawan

A must-see when you travel to New Delhi, the Rashtrapati Bhawan, originally House of Viceroy of India, is one of the most spectacular symbols of the British Empire in India. When in 1911 the British decided to shift the Indian capital from Calcutta to New Delhi, they spared no effort or cost to embellish this precious jewel in their Crown.

Dominating the capital's landscape, the Rashtrapati Bhawan today is the home of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, this imposing structure, originally built to house the Viceroy of India during the British Raj, is a magnificent work of architecture befitting the capital of the world's largest democracy.

Built on top of Raisina Hill in the south of Old New Delhi, this fortress-like palace has been embellished with chandeliers from Belgium, marble from Italy, teakwood obtained from Burma and a rare peach-coloured Dholpur stone from the famous mines used earlier by Mughal Emperors. Over 5,000 labourers, carpenters, engineers and designers worked for eight years using up 4.5 million bricks, 1.5 million cubic feet of stone, 1,350 tonnes of iron and 7,500 tonnes of cement to erect this monumental structure spreading across five acres on a north-south axis.

Today, the 640 kilogramme silver Coronation Chair, used by Emperor George V, in the Durbar Hall, has been replaced by a 5th century marble statue of the Buddha. However, the deep crimson velvet curtain behind him - still unwashed and unblemished in 60 years - remains unruffled. Your travel to New Delhi will also give you a glimpse of the beauty that lies within the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The courtyard has 37 fountains in fancy shapes like lotuses and snakes to cool the Bhawan and beneath the north courtyard is a private auditorium for the President, while under the south courtyard is a complete Edwardian kitchen with dairies, bakeries, sculleries, game larders and wine cellars.

And one could easily get lost among the 340 rooms of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, connected by 1.2 miles of arcaded corridors. One should also visit the Museum here during one's New Delhi travel, which has some amazing collection. The elegant Ashoka Hall is spellbinding. Initially intended to be a ballroom for British nobility, presently it is used by the President for the swearing-in of the Cabinet as well as for receiving credentials of diplomats.

The imposing 104 feet by 34 feet Banquet Hall can seat 104 people at a time. Only candle-lit dinners are held here, with soft music as accompaniment. A somber metallic bust of Sir Edwin Lutyens looks down across the graceful sandstone staircase in the inner courtyard. The lower corridor is lined with rare paintings.

Finally, the crowning glory of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, which should not be missed if you are planning to travel to New Delhi - the Mughal Gardens. Long before the Viceroy's House was constructed, Lady Hardinge inspired Lutyens to design "a dream of loveliness" like the terraced gardens of Mughal Emperors she had seen in Kashmir. Today, the shimmering sprays from scalloped fountains, soft music from mini-waterfalls, paved pathways running besides lush green lawns and canals of crystal clear water, fruit-laden canopies and a riot of colour from myriad flowers are fascinating.