The official residence and office of the Himachal Pradesh Governor will now be called Lok Bhavan instead of Raj Bhavan. The change was made following a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
After receiving the order, the Governor’s Secretariat in Shimla issued a formal notification on December 9, 2025.
"It is hereby notified that the name of 'Raj Bhavan' in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, is hereby modified to 'Lok Bhavan'. This notification comes into force with immediate effect," the circular read.
The decision is part of a move to rename all Raj Bhavans as Lok Bhavans across the country. The proposal was discussed at a National Conference of Governors, where it was felt that the term Raj Bhavan reflected a colonial past, while Lok Bhavan represents democratic values and public participation.
The Himachal Pradesh Lok Bhavan, earlier known as Raj Bhavan, is historically remembered as Barnes Court. When Himachal became a full-fledged state in 1971, Peterhof served as the Raj Bhavan. But after a fire damaged Peterhof, the Governor’s office shifted to Barnes Court.
Barnes Court was named after Edward Barnes, a former Commander-in-Chief of British India. The building is regarded as an important heritage site in Himachal Pradesh, known for its architectural beauty and historical significance.
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