For the first time, Rashtrapati Niketan in Dehradun will open its doors to the public starting June 24, as announced by the President’s Office on Saturday. President Droupadi Murmu will visit the historic estate on June 20 to review preparations ahead of its public opening.
Formerly known as Rashtrapati Ashiana, the 186-year-old estate spans 21 acres and was previously used for training the horses of the President’s Bodyguard (PBG). As part of the visit, President Murmu will also lay the foundation stone for a 132-acre Rashtrapati Udyan, further enhancing the site’s public appeal.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase citizen engagement with the heritage of the President and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Since 2023, similar sites such as Rashtrapati Nilayam in Hyderabad and Rashtrapati Niwas in Mashobra have been opened to the public six days a week.
Visitors to Rashtrapati Niketan will get a chance to view the PBG horses and stables, along with attractions like the Lily Pond, Rockery Pond, Rose Garden, and Pergola. The estate also includes Rashtrapati Tapovan, a 19-acre forested area on Rajpur Road that will be accessible to the public.
The President’s Office highlighted that these initiatives symbolize a new era of openness and citizen participation in national heritage sites.
