Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)
The British Viceroy's summer residence, where the 1947 partition was negotiated.
- Timings
- Around 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Monday)
- Entry fee
- Grounds approx. ₹50 · guided tour approx. ₹100
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Morning
About Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)
Completed in 1888 on Observatory Hill, the Viceregal Lodge was the summer seat of British power in India — and the room where the decision to partition the subcontinent was taken. Built in Jacobethan style in grey sandstone, it was electrified before much of Britain was. It now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study; guided tours cover a limited set of ground-floor rooms, and the gardens are immaculate and open more widely.
Insider tips
- Closed Mondays
- Interior access is by guided tour only and covers limited rooms — the gardens are freely walkable
- About 4 km from the Ridge; take a taxi rather than walk it uphill
Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) — common questions
What are the Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) timings?
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Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) is open Around 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Monday).
What is the entry fee for Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)?
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Entry: Grounds approx. ₹50 · guided tour approx. ₹100.
How much time do you need at Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)?
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Plan for roughly 1.5 hours.
What is the best time to visit Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)?
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Morning.
How crowded does Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) get?
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Medium crowd levels overall.
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