President Retreat Building Dec 05, 2012

The Retreat Building built in 1850 is the official Retreat Residence of the President of India at Chharabra, Shimla. It is located 10 km away from Shimla and is a thousand feet higher than the Shimla Ridge Top.

The other presidential homes are Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi and Rashtrapati Nilayam at Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.Chharabra is situated on top of mountains which are a major watershed. One side of Chharabra is part of the catchment area for the Yamuna river while the other side is part of the catchment area for the Sutlej river. The entire area around Chharabra is densely forested and is part of Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary and Catchment Area. President of India visits and resides this place for one week during summer at this estate at about 8250 ft above sea level, but the building is used by foriegn VIPs visiting Shimla. There is a helipad with 360 degree view for only the VVIP use. The view was serene and picturesque with Sun shining all around gave us a feeling that we were swinging in a big green bowl.

The Dense Forestry

The retreat is visible through the pine trees.

Our driver helps to snap us to get a voice of the Retreat

View from top of the hill, this VVIP Helipad was great for the 360 degree view

Kalyani Helipad:  You can get magnificent view of the Himalayas, Shimla and the valley below from this point. This was originally the site of a two storied residential house called Dukani. Dukani was famous for its picnic grounds and terraced flower garden. The Straits Time reports of can competition called "Scents of Dukani" held here where the people were asked to identify the smell of various flowers grown in the garden of Dukani. It was built by Lt. Col. Thomas David Colyear Among its famous occupants were Sir John Woodburn, Lt. Governor of Bengal Sir Georg, Lt. Governor of Bengal Sir George Charles River, etc. Other owners of Dukani included H.B.Goad and Maharaja of Alwar. This building was also owned by the late Sir Edward Buck, the author of "Simla, Past and Present". The house was surrounded by an apple orchard. After independence the property was taken over by the Government of India. The building was used by the State Horticulture Department until 1986 when it was razed to make way for the helipad.

The Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas at more than 19000 ft high, Bandar Poonch Peak, Badrinath 23100 ft are all visible from this spot as seen above in the back ground.