Raj Bhavan (Ooty)
Encyclopedia
Raj Bhavan of Ooty is the Summer residence
of the Governor of Tamil Nadu
, It is located in the city of Ooty, Tamil Nadu
.
at Ootacamund
. The Duke of Buckingham
, who initiated the purchase, took possession of both the Upper and Lower Norwood and the Garden Cottage. But after a single stay, the Governor was convinced that the Upper Norwood was not a fit abiding place for the Governor. Soon after returning to Madras, the Duke proposed the building of a large two storied building which can afford complete accommodation for the family and provide public reception rooms. Between 1878 and 1881, various estimates were prepared and a final estimate for the construction of Government House
at a cost of Rs.4,02,914/- was approved. But this estimate did not contain the cost of furnishing the building and hence a further comprehensive estimate was prepared in July 1888 for an amount of Rs.7,79,150/-. Finally, the Government House
was constructed at a cost of Rs.7,82,633/-.
In 1899, a Ball room with an ante-room was added to the Government House
and in 1904 electrical installation for the whole premises was approved and installed. During the period of construction of the Government House
, The Duke of Buckingham
resided at Upper Norwood and was constantly inspecting the work, altering the plans and making suggestions. Sir Arthur Havelock considerably improved the interior of the original building especially the very fine and handsome Ball room. After Independence, the Government House
was renamed as Raj Bhavan.
The famous Banquet Hall of Raj Bhavan was given a complete face lift in 1988, in association with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural property, Lucknow
. The Embossed canvas, which was damaged, has been restored.
Official residence
An official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
of the Governor of Tamil Nadu
Governors of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is a state in southern India. Like all states, the governor is a nominal head and representative of the President of India. He or she is appointed by the president for a five year term. This list includes both nominated and acting heads of state in the history of the state of Tamil Nadu...
, It is located in the city of Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
.
History
In 1876, the government decided to purchase Upper Norwood and Lower Norwood, which belonged to the trustees of Lawrence Asylum and started efforts for the establishment of the Government HouseGovernment House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
at Ootacamund
Ootacamund
Ootacamund , is a town, a municipality and the district capital of the Nilgiris district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Ootacamund is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills...
. The Duke of Buckingham
Richard Temple-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Richard Plantagenet Campbell Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos GCSI, PC , styled Earl Temple until 1839 and Marquess of Chandos from 1839 to 1861, was a British soldier, politician and administrator of the 19th century...
, who initiated the purchase, took possession of both the Upper and Lower Norwood and the Garden Cottage. But after a single stay, the Governor was convinced that the Upper Norwood was not a fit abiding place for the Governor. Soon after returning to Madras, the Duke proposed the building of a large two storied building which can afford complete accommodation for the family and provide public reception rooms. Between 1878 and 1881, various estimates were prepared and a final estimate for the construction of Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
at a cost of Rs.4,02,914/- was approved. But this estimate did not contain the cost of furnishing the building and hence a further comprehensive estimate was prepared in July 1888 for an amount of Rs.7,79,150/-. Finally, the Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
was constructed at a cost of Rs.7,82,633/-.
In 1899, a Ball room with an ante-room was added to the Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
and in 1904 electrical installation for the whole premises was approved and installed. During the period of construction of the Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
, The Duke of Buckingham
Richard Temple-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
Richard Plantagenet Campbell Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos GCSI, PC , styled Earl Temple until 1839 and Marquess of Chandos from 1839 to 1861, was a British soldier, politician and administrator of the 19th century...
resided at Upper Norwood and was constantly inspecting the work, altering the plans and making suggestions. Sir Arthur Havelock considerably improved the interior of the original building especially the very fine and handsome Ball room. After Independence, the Government House
Government House
Government House is the name of many of the residences of Governors-General, Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the Commonwealth and the remaining colonies of the British Empire. It serves as the venue for the Governor's official business, as well as the many receptions and functions hosted by...
was renamed as Raj Bhavan.
Building
The present area of Raj Bhavan is 86.72 acres (350,943.7 m²). The main building has a plinth area of 29505 sq ft (2,741.1 m²). And it consists of a large Banqueting Hall, ball room, Drawing and Reception rooms, besides 17 Guest rooms and office rooms. The elevation of Raj Bhavan is 2,303 meters above mean-sea level and enjoys a warm, temperate climate with an average rainfall of 1,400 mm per year.The famous Banquet Hall of Raj Bhavan was given a complete face lift in 1988, in association with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural property, Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
. The Embossed canvas, which was damaged, has been restored.