The arterial main road
near our home witnesses high security restrictions in the last 10 days of December. This year too was no exception. The gun toting security police on either side were
very vigilant and active in enforcing rules.
We as usual tried to park in front of the now
shutdown odyssey building where there was ample car parking space. Adjacent to that was the vegetable shop where
I wanted to buy vegetables. But the
gunmen politely told us to remove the car. No parking allowed anywhere on the road not even in the
parking space. Nobody is allowed to even
shop in the busiest shopping area for long.” Keep moving” was their mantra. The restrictions, the vigil all thanks to the
President’s convoy which would be taking that route to reach a heritage palace tucked away in the
high security cantonment area of Bolarum in Secunderabad.
Yes, this is where the
First Citizen of India has his traditional southern sojourn in the last 10 days
of Decemberr.
The palatial retreat called ‘Rashtrapati Nilayam’ is the
only Presidential retreat in the South of India. Situated in 90 acres of plush
greenery, the 2500 sqm centrally located magnificient retreat is single
storeyed and has three wings – the president’s wing, family wing and ADC wing.
The most interesting feature of the Rashtrapati Nilayam is the 50 metre long ventilated tunnel that links the kitchen to the dining hall. This tunnel was built for the safety of the Nizam who was worried that his food could be poisoned by his enemies.
The building has a little history behind it. This was initially the residence of Chief military officer during the Nizam’s period when Sir Salar jung was the Prime minister and Bolarum was one of the military cantonments of the Nizam government. It later served as the residence of British viceroys . After independence, it again came under the control of Hyderabadi Nizams and later after the merger of the state with Indian union, the government converted it into a resort for the stay of the president.
Since 2011, the out of bounds retreat and the beautiful garden surrounding the building is thrown open to public but only for the first 10 days of January.
It has 20 rooms in all, a cinema hall, a huge dining hall with regal chandeliers.
Rain water is harvested here resulting in substantial rise in ground water level. Efficient water irrigation and drip irrigation and other eco-friendly practices are observed here.
So, if you are here on a
leisure visit to Hyderabad during this
period and if you love to luxuriate in the lap of nature, take a
trip here. The huge well maintained estate is a nice place to take a stroll and
reflect with an aural treat from the sweet calls of the birds and the rustling
leaves for company.
The crisp herbal air from
the 116 species of medicinal and aromatic plants called "Nakshatra vatika" will tingle you and
make you feel good. There is no sign of consumerism or commercialisation
here. No entry fee. No branded chip packet sellers or no cola gola outside the
gate. You will find only the hyderabadi selling kulfi , roasted peanuts or channa batana in paper cones.
Also, don’t expect
grand architecture or grand entertainment, it will just be a simple leisure visit to a lung space in a
city, but a worth remembering one.
All photos taken by my children during our 2011 visit.
Thanks for the beautiful narration and the nice photos. I wish Indian Government get rid of these British rituals - traditional Southern sojourn in December.
ReplyDeleteThank God they did not move the Parliament Session to Simla in Summer.
SG, it is supposed to be a working holiday for the Prez:) although I don't have any clue about such details.
ReplyDeletepersonally had a good time. It was a treat for my urban soul although the security restrictions are a pain for us public.
Oh - never had a clue that such a place exists and that the president actually come sin the last ten days of December there.Looks very nice. Hyderabad, despite the chaos of the the typical Indian city has such gems - Falaknuma Palace, Chowmahalla Palace (which you featured earlier), and now we learn, Rashtrapati Nilayam.
ReplyDeletePresidential security is however a bit harder to justify - the President of India is a political nonentity. Nobody normally will care to harm him. After all the average man on the street can hardly name who the President of India is !!
yes and many more like taramati baradari, golconda, asman garh palace, paigah palace etc,.
Deletethe security regulations start 4-5 hours prior to their arrival making the aam junta's daily routine difficult.
Beautiful clicks. Nice interior ..fit for a king..
ReplyDeletei have many more clicks, was unsure about the security aspects, so i withheld.
DeleteAbout two years back I had been to Hyderabad to attend a meeting. I also saw the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The place is really royal.Photographs clicked by your children are outstanding.They made nostalgic.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could see this. Must be reminding you of Lutyens Delhi. Thank you, ma'am.
DeleteWhat a fab place. And so beautifully maintained too. Great that grabbed the opportunity to visit this Rashtrapati Nilayam. Wonderful clicks too :)
ReplyDeletetrue, it's a rare opportunity. Thank you, shilpa.
DeleteNext time when I go to Hyderabad I will try to go in this time..worth seeing....its beautiful..
ReplyDeleteSure, do make a visit Renu.
DeleteBeautiful pictures and the details, very interesting Asha.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletethank you, Rama:)