Everything you want to know about Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum

Have you ever envisaged getting a glimpse of all the gifts India's presidents have received from foreign heads of state? Very soon, this dream can turn into reality. The New Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex will be open to the public from October 2, 2016.

Since Shri Rajendra Prasad became the first president of India in 1950, 11,000 gifts have been received from across the world. These gifts are kept in a place called Tosh Khana within Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Marking the completion of four years of Pranab Mukherjee's stint as head of the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the museum on July 25. The underground museum took almost two years to complete, with an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore.

Want to know more about the museum?

• The New Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum Complex now includes the Garages Museum and Clock Tower in addition to the Stables Museum.
• The Garage Museum is spread over 10,000 sqm and is a hi-technology storytelling museum.
• The museum has the facility of virtual reality and multi-screen project to tell stories.
• This museum depicts the story of the planning and construction of the Rashtrapati Bhavan; the British Viceroys who occupied the building till 1947; their reaction towards the freedom movement in the country; transfer of power; formation of the Republic; life and work of 13 presidents of India since 1950; life in Rashtrapati Bhavan; beauty and environment of the campus, people working here; and important visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• The museum also has an art gallery for holding temporary exhibitions.
• The three-storied Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum with two underground floors will be open six days a week from 9 am to 4 pm except Mondays. Entry and exit for visitors will be through Gate No. 30 on Mother Teresa Crescent Road.
• The initial ticket price will be Rs 50 (children below the age of eight years will be exempt from charges).
• The lower ground floor of the museum has statues of King George (left) and Queen Mary (right).
• The gifts received by President Pranab Mukherjee will be displayed at phase II of the museum on Sunday.

• One can also have the glimpse of portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, former presidents of India, and APJ Abdul Kalam’s books at phase II.
• The King of Jordan gifted one Mercedes to the former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, which is also displayed in the museum.
• Demonstration of boycotting of British clothes as a part of the Swadeshi Movement, Jallianwala Bagh and 61st Cavalry massacre through wax statues.

As reported by PTI, President Pranab Mukherjee in a function revealed that before assuming office he had no knowledge of how Rashtrapati Bhavan functioned. He also recalled that he came to Delhi for the first time in July 1979 for taking oath as a Rajya Sabha member and stayed a few metres from Rashtrapati Bhavan for 43 years.