Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.(KMVN) welcomes you to Raj Bhawan (Nainital).
And we are at the gate of Raj Bhawan waiting for the ticket counter to open to buy tickets. KMVN organize Raj Bhawan tour.
11 am to 3:30 pm
Sunday, Gazetted holidays closed.
Rs. 20 per person – The ticket.
Jagdish Chandra Arya – The Guide and the narrations as we walk following the path.
‘Koi Mil Gaya‘ Hindi movie starring Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta shooting was held at the entrance.
Do you remember the police station scene – it was done here only.
Raj Bhawan area is 220 acres.
Nainital was discovered in the year 1839 by P. Barron an Englishman. He built the first building at Aayar Pada above Mallital Bada Bazaar. The building nowadays is known as Pilgrim Lodge. During English rule, the Governor’s house was situated up into the hills now known as the Old Governor’s House. One can reach by rope-way. There are 7-8 rooms nowadays used as tourist bungalows. In 1880 it is said there was a huge landslide at that location. Approx. 150 people died. Old Governor’s House was destroyed. Then Englishmen started construction of the Governor’s House at this very location where we are standing now.
In the year 1897 (27th April), the construction started and was completed in the year 1899. Governor’s House resembles Buckingham Palace, London. The lush green garden and lawns are taken care of by the Horticulture Department, roads, and buildings by P.W.D., the Forest by the Forest Department, and the Golf Course by the Golf Secretary. Jagdish Ji showed names of people associated with the construction of the Raj Bhawan – C.W. Odling – Chief Engineer, Sir A.P. Macdonnell, H.S. Wildeblood – Executive Engineer written on top of Bhawan.
The trees you are watching are Deodar and the other ones are Tilonj as known in Hindi and Oak trees the English word.
The gate of the Golf Course to visit. We walk further.
45-acre Golf area was established in the year 1926. Eighteen Holes Golf Course is open to associate members, and visiting golfers with temporary passes.
Tee, Par 3, Stroke 11, Distance, Hole In One, 1 Bogey – a few Golf words I learn during talks with the person present within the golf area supervising grass cutting.
Open All Days
March to April – 8 am to 5 pm
May to August – 8 am to 6 pm
September to October – 8 am to 5 pm
November to December – 8 am to 4 pm
And with that, I return. Many many thanks to Jagdish Ji.
If you are visiting Nainital, Raj Bhawan one should visit. It is approx. 3 – 4 km from Naini Lake up into the hills. I prefer walking and suggest if you can walk you should because the more you walk up into the hills the scenery is amazing.
It is a dream Bhawan that I saw in reality. Thanks to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam. Thanks a lot.