• President Droupadi Murmu formally opened Rashtrapati Tapovan and Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun on her 67th birthday on June 20.

• She also laid the foundation stone for Rashtrapati Udyan, a 132-acre public garden on the campus of the Presidential Retreat, now renamed Rashtrapati Niketan.

• The Rashtrapati Tapovan and Rashtrapati Niketan will be open for public viewing from June 24 and July 1, 2025 respectively.

Rashtrapati Tapovan

• Rashtrapati Tapovan, situated on Rajpur Road in Dehradun, is a 19-acre Presidential Estate nestled in the Himalayan foothills, emphasizing spiritual retreat and ecological preservation. 

• A dense forest patch rich in native vegetation, Tapovan hosts 117 plant species, 52 butterflies, 41 bird species, and 7 wild mammals, including some protected species. The area features natural bamboo groves and undisturbed woodland ecosystems.

Rashtrapati Niketan

• Rashtrapati Niketan will be open to the public from July 1, offering a rare opportunity to experience a unique confluence of architecture, history, and landscape design in the heart of the city.

• Known earlier as Rashtrapati Ashiana or the Presidential Retreat, Rashtrapati Niketan has a rich legacy dating back to 1838 when it served as a summer camp for the Governor General’s Bodyguards.

• The bungalow on the site was constructed in 1920 for the unit's commandant, and in 1976, it was designated as the Presidential Retreat.

• Located on Rajpur Road and spread across 237 acres, the estate comprises the main building, annexe, stables, a swimming pool, and flourishing orchards. 

• A major renovation in 2016 introduced seismic retrofitting and the restoration of traditional water channels, ensuring the preservation of its historical essence.

• The estate has undergone contemporary landscape transformation.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)