This year(2024) India is celebrating her 75th Repubic Day.
The Republic Day parade in New Delhi takes place along Rajpath (the road heading to Rashtrapati Bhawan - the official residence of President of India) past India Gate. The ceremony begins after Prime Minister of India pays floral tribute to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyothi, India Gate. The event is followed by the arrival of the Chief Guest and National Anthem which marks the beginning of the parade.
Every year, Republic Day in New Delhi is celebrated in the grandest manner and the parade is the highlight of the day. The parade showcases India's rich cultural heritage and her military prowess. President of India presides over the parade. The parade begins after Prime Minister of India lays wreath at Amar Jawan Jyothi, India Gate and pays floral tribute to the martyrs. The event is followed by 21 gun shots / gun salutes, unfurling of the Tricolor National Flag by the President of India and singing of National Anthem.
Next event is giving of important gallantry awards by the President of India and the bravery awards. The parade begins with the gallantry award winners who move in open jeeps saluting President of India. This is followed by the display of the arm and armament like tanks, missiles etc of the Indian Defence. Next in the parade is the march past of different regiments of armed forces, police, home guards and NCC (National Cadet Corps). President of India who is the Supreme Commander (Commander-in-Chief) of Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute.
Then enter the most vibrant and colorful parade of tableaux of various states and Govt department which show the wealth, progress and rich cultural heritage of the state accompanied with the cultural dance of the state.
At the end of the parade you can see the airplanes displaying shapes and pouring down flower petals on the audience. This is one of the most enjoyable event by the people who keep watching up in the sky to see the wonderful act of the pilot and the airplanes which makes them feel proud of being Indians.
On this day people enjoy the celebrations with true spirit of patriotism in their heart and the patriotic fervor of the people brings a kind of togetherness among the citizens of the country in spite of the vast diversity in culture and tradition. It is a day when the feeling of regionalism is kept aside or takes a backseat and there is a universal appeal of unity and brotherhood that is projected by all the Indians. This parade is a ticketed event and the visitors need to buy tickets from various outlets.
Republic Day celebrations is continued for 4 days and it ends with the celebrations of Beating the Retreat on January 29 every year. On these three days, Rashtrapati Bhavan - the official house of the President of India - illuminated in the night.
Beating the Retreat
'Beating the Retreat' is celebrated at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi on January 29 every year. It marks the culmination of the four continuous days of Republic Day celebrations. President of India, who is the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, is the Chief Guest on this day. He / She arrives in a cavalry unit escorted by the President's Bodyguards (PBG). On arrival of the President, the unit gives National Salute and the Massed Bands play National Anthem while the National Tricolor Flag is unfurled on the flagpole.Then the Military Bands, Pipes and Drums Bands, Buglers and Trumpeters of various Army Regiments play tunes of Indian patriotic songs like 'Sare Jahanse Achcha'.
The bands from Navy and Air Force too play tunes. Beating the Retreat is an old Military tradition and is an event of National pride.
A week to ten days prior to the Republic Day celebration, the outlets are open for the sale of tickets.