Visitors throng the four Presidential estates across India now open to the public

To maximise access and engagement with the public, the President’s Estate expanded from a single location in Delhi with the opening of its estates in Hyderabad, Shimla, and Dehradun to the public. This resulted in a surge in visitors, pushing up the number of physical visitors from approximately seven lakh before the COVID-19 pandemic to over 20.5 lakh in 2024, data shared with The Hindu show. 

The total citizen engagement (physical and digital) reached over 49 lakh visitors in 2024, signifying a 600% increase, validating President Droupadi Murmu’s vision to turn Rashtrapati Bhavan into ‘Rashtra ka bhavan’ (the nation’s building), an official at the Office of the President of India said.

The number of visitors to the main building of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi also registered a significant rise, following the opening of public access to it, the data show, with visitors increasing from 31,230 in 2022 to 1,44,406 in 2023, and 2,01,000 in 2024. 

“This positive trend continued into 2025, with over 2,00,000 citizens already visiting in the first 10 months,” the official said. 

An enhanced viewing schedule for the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s main building was officially announced on May 16, 2023, opening it for public viewing for six days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday, beginning June 1, 2023, increasing capacity by 200%.

Ms. Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022. Following this, Rashtrapati Nilayam (Hyderabad), and Rashtrapati Nivas (Shimla), were opened to the public for the first time in March 2023, and Rashtrapati Niketan (Dehradun) was opened to the public in June 2025.

“At each estate, multiple new attractions and thematic experiences have been added to significantly increase capacity, and create diverse avenues for citizens’ participation,” the official said. With enhanced accessibility, revamped ceremonies, including the Change of Guard, and the introduction of immersive attractions, visitors can engage with the cultural, historical, and institutional importance of the republic’s highest office, the official added.

The entire President’s Estate is focused on disability-friendly access, and seamless digital services, including QR-based paperless ticketing, and websites in 22 Indian languages, the official said.

In Delhi, audio-guided tours of the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s main building offer visitors a journey through some of India’s most historic venues, including the Ganatantra Mandap (the hall located directly beneath the central dome, the venue for civil and defence investiture ceremonies, and the swearing-in of the Chief Justices of India); the Ashok Mandap; and the forecourt (the grand ceremonial path for receiving visiting Heads of State and government, and the Change of Guard ceremony). 

“It (the forecourt) has hosted the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers multiple times, to accommodate large gatherings,” the official said.

The President’s Estate in the national capital also includes the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum, and the Amrit Udyan (formerly known as the Mughal Gardens).

“Visitors can also see the Change of Guard ceremony, which has been significantly revamped and relocated. It was first introduced as a ceremonial event in 2007, and made public in 2012 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. In February 2025, a new, more elaborate format was inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu, featuring extensive military drills and equestrian display. The enhanced ceremony is conducted weekly, every Saturday,” the official said.