CHENNAI: The historic Raj Bhavan which is the Governor’s official residence will soon be the ‘must see destination’ in the city. This authorities at the majestic building on the sprawling grounds adjoining the Guindy National Park will permit the members of the public to visit it on all days of the week.
The Raj Bhavan is home to blackbuck, an endangered species of antelope introduced to Guindy Park by Lord Willingdon in 1924. The present area of the Raj Bhavan Estate is 156.14 acres.
According to an official release from Raj Bhavan it has been decided to keep the doors of the official residence of Governor of Tamil Nadu, open for the public on all days of the week, in order to serve larger audience.
The release on Thursday said that visitors would be allowed on all days between 4.30 and 5.30 pm.
Earlier, public were allowed to visit Raj Bhavan on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“The tour at the sprawling campus located in Guindy would commence from tomorrow and visitors can get a glimpse of the Durbar Hall, the place where swearing-in of Ministers takes place,” the release added.
High profile guests who stay in the Presidential Guest House, the lawns of Raj Bhavan and the main building which house the offices of Governor would be covered during the tour.
A visit to the neighbouring forest areas and the Polo ground are also part of the tour. Those planning to take a trip to Raj Bhavan require to register at www.tnrajbhavan.gov.in.
In April 19 last year, Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao who was then holding additional charge as Tamil Nadu Governor had announced that the public would be given an opportunity to visit Raj Bhavan as practiced in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai and Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
The ancient Fort St George had been the earliest official residence of the Governors of Madras (in the 1640s).
Later, in 1820 Governor Thomas Munro (1820–1827) made Government House the official residence and it is now known as Raj Bhavan but was once Guindy Lodge, the Governor’s country house.
