Nainital is a beautiful destination. It offers all sorts of tourist attractions from waterfalls that allow you to bask in the lap of nature to adventure activities and even spiritual places. Among these attractions, one that is a must-visit is Raj Bhawan Governor House estate, with its Golf Course, in Nainital. This historical marvel is where the Governor of Uttarakhand lives.
History of Raj Bhawan Governor House
This building, based around Gothic architecture and British colonial architecture, was built in 1897. The estate is gorgeous and large, spanning an area of over 200 acres, out of which around 40 make up a golf course. Before India achieved independence, the Raj Bhawan was occupied by British governors in the summertime. Later, it was rechristened to its current name and became the official residence of the Governor of the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
The Bhawan is very large. It has over a hundred rooms. In colonial times, it was used as a guesthouse. British expats and dignitaries would often stay in it while they were visiting the Indian colony. The first Governor to live in the Raj Bhawan was Sarojini Naidu, who was the Governor of Uttar Pradesh at that time. Since then, Uttar Pradesh has been further partitioned into Uttarakhand, and the Governor’s residence at Raj Bhawan shifted from UP to the newly formed state.
Just like the rest of Nainital, this estate is expansive, open and full of nature. It is surrounded by lush greenery and dense forests. Trees that are native to Nainital, such as the Deodar and Oak, loom tall and quaint in its interiors. The estate itself is so large that there is no shortage of amenities. It has a swimming pool as well as a magnificent garden. Living in the house is quite simply like basking in the glory of nature. The lush forests around are home to endangered flora and fauna as well.
The Raj Bhawan Golf Course
The Raj Bhawan also has a golf course, which iis one of India’s oldest golf courses. Built in 1926, the course has short par 61 holes. It has the standard 18 holes and 18 tees. The entire course is spread out over a distance of 3.2 km, with a combination of both greens and browns. While lacking in length, it compensates for those technical challenges with using browns instead of greens in its 13 holes. The golf course consists of two pavilions as well as a comfortable clubhouse which serve as cozy rest-houses for tired golfers.
Today, the golf course is managed by the Uttaranchal Raj Bhawan Golf Club. It serves as a tourist destination to promote golf and manage the estate. The course aims to maintain an active sporting culture in the state, especially in Nainital, and encourage sports tourism.
Also check – A Guide to Nainital’s Famous Temples
Guide to Visiting the Raj Bhawan Governor House
What is the distance of the Raj Bhawan Governor house from Nainital?
The Raj Bhawan Governor House is about 2 km away from the Nainital city center. It is about 10 mins distance by car.
What are the timings of the Raj Bhawan Governor House?
The specific timings depend on the season.
- 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
It is closed on Sundays and on national holidays.
What is the entry fee of Raj Bhawan Governor House?
The entry fee for each person is Rs. 50.
What is the entry fee of Raj Bhawan Golf Course?
To use the golf course, an additional Rs. 450 per person is taken. No membership of the club is required, golfers just need to seek the Permission to Play.
If you are planning your next trip to the serene atmosphere of Nainital, you should book your stay at the Blue Book at Gethia, which is a Luxury Hotel in Nainital. There, you can rest and relax in comfort and style. Blue Book at Gethia truly provides a perfect complement to your Nainital experience, ensuring your stay is as memorable as your explorations in this picturesque hill station.
