Central Hall

The Central Hall is circular in shape and its dome which is 98 ft. (29.87 meters) in diameter is stated to be one of the most magnificent domes in the world.

The Central Hall is a place of historical importance. The transfer of power on the 15th August, 1947 from British to Indian hands took place in this Hall. The Indian Constitution was also framed in the Central Hall.

The Central Hall was originally used as the Library of the erstwhile Central Legislative Assembly and the Council of States. In1946, it was converted and refurnished into the Constituent Assembly Hall. The Constituent Assembly met there from December 9, 1946 to January 24, 1950.

At present, the Central Hall is used for holding Joint Sittings of the two Houses. At the commencement of the first session after each general elections to Lok Sabha and at the commencement of the first session of each year, the President addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Central Hall. When the Houses are in session, the Central Hall is used by Members for informal discussions among themselves. Central Hall is also used for special occasion when the Members of Parliament are addressed by distinguished Heads of States of other countries. The Hall is also equipped with Simultaneous Interpretation System.

Overlooking the dais in the Centre of the Central Hall hangs a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi painted by Sir Oswald Birley and donated to the nation by Shri A.P. pattani, a Member of the Constituent Assembly of India. Gilded panels on the walls and arches on either side of dais contain portraits of the following distinguished national leaders:-

Madan Mohan Malviya, Dadabhai Nauroji, Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Motilal Nehru, Sardr Vallabhbhai Patel, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Smt. Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, C. Rajagopalachari, Smt. Indira Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Rajiv Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Ch. Charan Singh, Morarji Desai, Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

There are also 12 gilded emblems on the wall of the Hall representing the 12 Provinces of undivided India. Surrounding the Central Hall are six lobbies, which are suitable covered and furnished.

One Lounge is reserved for the exclusive use of lady Members, one for First Aid Post, one for Panel of Chairmen of Lok Sabha and one for Computer query booth for MPs.

The Central Hall has six galleries on its first floor. At the time of Joint Sittings of the two Houses, the two Galleries which are towards the right of the dais are occupied by Press Correspondents, the one facing the dais is set apart for distinguished visitors and in the other three, the guests of the Members of the two Houses are accommodated.