Rashtrapati Bhavan Halls Renamed to Reflect Indian Cultural Heritage

'Durbar Hall' and 'Ashok Hall' Now Known as 'Ganatantra Mandap' and 'Ashok Mandap'

New Delhi July 25 2024 : In a move to embrace Indian cultural values and ethos, President Droupadi Murmu has announced the renaming of two significant halls within Rashtrapati Bhavan. The historically renowned ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ will now be called ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap,’ respectively.

“Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President of India, is a symbol of the nation and an invaluable heritage of the people. Continuous efforts are being made to make it more accessible to people. There has been a consistent endeavour to make the ambience of the Rashtrapati Bhavan reflective of Indian cultural values and ethos,” said the Rashtrapati Bhavan in an official release.

The renaming of the halls is part of the BJP government’s broader initiative to move away from colonial legacies and more accurately reflect India’s cultural heritage. The new names emphasize the nation’s traditional values.

The press statement explained that the term ‘Durbar’ originally referred to the courts of Indian rulers and the British Raj. It noted that the term lost its relevance after India became a republic.

“‘Durbar Hall’ is the venue for important ceremonies and celebrations, such as the presentation of National Awards. The term ‘Durbar’ refers to courts and assemblies of Indian rulers and the British. It lost relevance after India became a Republic, or ‘Ganatantra’. The concept of ‘Ganatantra’ is deeply rooted in Indian society since ancient times, making ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ an apt name for the venue,” the statement explained.

Regarding the renaming of Ashok Hall, the statement noted that it was originally a ballroom. The change removes traces of anglicization and aligns with Indian cultural values.

“‘Ashok Hall’ was originally a ballroom. The word ‘Ashok’ signifies someone who is “free from all sufferings” or is “bereft of any sorrow”. Additionally, ‘Ashoka’ refers to Emperor Ashok, a symbol of unity and peaceful coexistence. The National Emblem of the Republic of India is the lion capital of Ashok from Sarnath. The word also refers to the Ashok tree, which holds deep significance in Indian religious traditions as well as arts and culture. Renaming ‘Ashok Hall’ as ‘Ashok Mandap’ brings uniformity in language and removes traces of anglicization while upholding the key values associated with the word ‘Ashok’,” the statement added.

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