Credit: Shantanu
Nainital is home to many historical buildings that are from the British era. On the list of these buildings, the Raj Bhawan, also known as the Governor’s House, is located in the Tallital area of Nainital, Uttarakhand.
Uttarakhand is one of the few states with two official Raj Bhawans. One is the capital city of Dehradun, and the other is in Nainital. The foundation stone of the house was laid on April 27, 1897, and it was completed in 1900. The governor’s house was designed by F. W. Stevens, who came with engineers F. O. Oertel and H. S. Wildebood. It was originally built as a residence for the governor of the North West Province.
Built-in the Victorian Gothic style, Buckingham Place is spread over an area of 220 acres, including a golf course on 45 acres. The golf course, built in 1936, is affiliated with the Indian Golf Union.
Different kinds of wood and stones were used in the construction of the Raja Bhawan. Marble, red sandstone, dolma limestone, and exquisite woods like pine, cypress, limewood, and Shisham make up the whine or Bhawan. The Bhawan also includes several places of interest, like Jhandidar Modi Height and Munsi Height Bhawan.
After independence, the summer residence for the British governor was changed to Raj Bhawan. The first governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sarojini Nadu, became the first resident of this house.
Entry fees
Entry fees to Bhawan are Rs 50, plus an additional Rs 450 for the golf course.
Days
It’s open all days except Sundays and National holidays
How to Reach Governor House Nanital
By Road:
Nainital is well-connected to major cities in India by road. One can take a bus or taxi from Delhi, which is located at a distance of about 300 km. The journey takes about 8-9 hours. Other major cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh are also connected to Nainital by road.
By Train:
Kathgodam, located at a distance of about 35 km from Nainital, is the nearest railway station. It is well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Dehradun. From the railway station, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Nainital.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Nainital is Pantnagar Airport, located at a distance of about 70 kilometers. The airport is well-connected to major cities like Delhi and Lucknow. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Nainital.