Visit Raj Bhavan and stand a chance of being greeted by the Governor

Ever since the daily tour to the scenic campus was introduced from February 9 this year, the online booking to visit Raj Bhavan has seen a steady increase in patronage. So much so, bookings are full till the end of this month, a senior official told DT Next.

As a latest initiative, every visitor will be given greeting cards. “If the governor is available, the visitors will receive cards directly from him,” the official said, adding that snacks and coffee will also be given to them at the end of the tour. A brainchild of the previous governor CH Vidyasagar Rao, the tour, which was earlier restricted to three days of the week, is now open to public visits daily. This has resulted in the sprawling campus of the Raj Bhavan playing host to hundreds of enthusiastic visitors. 

“24 visitors can see the place every day. They will be taken around in two battery operated cars at a cost of just Rs 25, which they could pay online,” he said. The main attractions include the presidential suite, herbal garden, durbar hall and silver jubilee garden. Bookings are opened on 10th day of previous month. 

Under the guidance of Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor R Rajagopal, officials have appointed two permanent tourist guides to brief visitors on the colonial-era structure. 

The official also pointed out that if a group of visitors, who booked online, could not turn up, the chance will be given to the students studying in corporation schools in and around Chennai. 

The Raj Bhavan, Chennai, situated in the Guindy Reserve Park Area, is one of the very few sprawling lung spaces found in heart of the Chennai. The grounds contain some of the rare species of fauna and flora. The buildings of Raj Bhavan is said to be one of the finest architecture. 

Describing his recent visit as a wonderful experience, S Ramalingam, a resident of the city for the past 40 years, said, “I had passed by the main gates of Raj Bhavan several hundred times and used to imagine what could be inside.”