1. The New Delhi Parliament House, also known as the Sansad Bhavan, is a large circular building located in the capital city of India. The building was designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens and inaugurated in 1927. It serves as the venue for the Indian Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha (lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (upper house). Some interesting facts about the Sansad Bhavan include:
- The building has a diameter of 170 meters and a total floor area of 2.4 hectares.
- It features 144 columns that are designed in the Roman Doric style.
- The Parliament House has a unique blend of Indian and British architectural styles, with a dome inspired by the Ashoka Chakra (a national symbol of India) atop a Greek portico.
- The building’s central hall is used for important ceremonial occasions, such as the presidential address and oath-taking ceremonies for newly-elected members of parliament.
2. The working time of the Parliament House varies depending on the session schedules and events. It is closed to the public on weekends and public holidays. The contact number for the Parliament House reception is +91-11-23034400.
3. Visitors are not allowed inside the building without a prior permission. The public can visit the Parliament Museum, which is located inside the Parliament Library Building. Entry to the museum is free of charge. The nearest metro station to the Sansad Bhavan is Central Secretariat, which is on the Yellow and Violet Lines. Taxis and auto-rickshaws are also available for transportation.