India is home to a variety of beautiful and historically significant gardens, ranging from Mughal-era masterpieces to British colonial designs and modern botanical gardens. Here are some of the most famous gardens in India:
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1. Mughal Gardens (Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi)
– Location: New Delhi
– Highlights: Designed during the British era, these gardens are inspired by Mughal landscaping. They feature terraced lawns, fountains, and a variety of flowers.
– Special Feature: Open to the public during the annual “Udyanotsav” (February–March).
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2. Shalimar Bagh (Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir)
– Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
– Highlights: Built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619, this garden is a classic example of Mughal architecture. It features terraced levels, fountains, and chinar trees.
– Special Feature: Part of the trio of Mughal gardens in Kashmir, along with Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi.
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3. Nishat Bagh (Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir)
– Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
– Highlights: Known as the “Garden of Bliss,” it was built by Asif Khan, the brother of Empress Nur Jahan. It offers stunning views of Dal Lake and the Zabarwan Mountains.
– Special Feature: The garden has 12 terraces representing the 12 zodiac signs.
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4. Brindavan Gardens (Mysore, Karnataka)
– Location: Mysore, Karnataka
– Highlights: Located near the Krishnarajasagara Dam, these gardens are famous for their symmetrical design, musical fountains, and illuminated displays at night.
– Special Feature: Inspired by the Mughal style, it is one of the most visited gardens in South India.
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5. Lal Bagh (Bangalore, Karnataka)
– Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
– Highlights: Built by Hyder Ali and later completed by his son Tipu Sultan, this botanical garden is home to rare plants, a glasshouse, and a serene lake.
– Special Feature: Hosts biannual flower shows during Republic Day and Independence Day.
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6. Rock Garden (Chandigarh)
– Location: Chandigarh
– Highlights: Created by Nek Chand, this unique garden is made entirely from industrial and home waste, recycled materials, and rocks. It features sculptures, waterfalls, and open-air theaters.
– Special Feature: A symbol of creativity and sustainability.
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7. Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens, Haryana)
– Location: Pinjore, Haryana
– Highlights: Designed by Nawab Fidai Khan during the Mughal era, this garden is a seven-terraced masterpiece with fountains, water channels, and Mughal-style pavilions.
– Special Feature: Hosts an annual mango festival.
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8. Mehtab Bagh (Agra, Uttar Pradesh)
– Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
– Highlights: Located opposite the Taj Mahal, this garden offers a stunning view of the monument. It was built by Emperor Babur as part of a series of gardens along the Yamuna River.
– Special Feature: Perfect spot for sunset views of the Taj Mahal.
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9. Hanging Gardens (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
– Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
– Highlights: Situated on Malabar Hill, these terraced gardens are known for their animal-shaped hedges and offer panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.
– Special Feature: Built over Mumbai’s main water reservoir.
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10. Ram Niwas Garden (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
– Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
– Highlights: Built by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868, this garden houses the Albert Hall Museum, a bird park, and an art gallery.
– Special Feature: A blend of Mughal and British architectural styles.
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11. Chashme Shahi (Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir)
– Location: Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
– Highlights: The smallest of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar, it was built in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan. It is known for its natural spring and terraced layout.
– Special Feature: The spring water is believed to have medicinal properties.
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12. Botanical Garden (Howrah, West Bengal)
– Location: Howrah, West Bengal
– Highlights: Officially known as the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, it is home to thousands of plant species, including the Great Banyan Tree.
– Special Feature: One of the oldest botanical gardens in India, established in 1787.
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13. Amrit Udyan (Mughal Gardens, New Delhi)
– Location: New Delhi
– Highlights: Recently renamed “Amrit Udyan,” this garden is part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex and features a mix of Mughal and British landscaping styles.
– Special Feature: Open to the public during specific times of the year.
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14. Jubilee Garden (Vadodara, Gujarat)
– Location: Vadodara, Gujarat
– Highlights: Built to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria, this garden features a statue of Sayajirao Gaekwad III and well-maintained lawns.
– Special Feature: Houses the Baroda Museum and Art Gallery.
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15. Sim’s Park (Coonoor, Tamil Nadu)
– Location: Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
– Highlights: A botanical garden known for its unique collection of plants, trees, and shrubs from different parts of the world.
– Special Feature: Hosts an annual fruit and vegetable show.
