Parade

Every year the Republic Day is celebrated on the 26th of January around the country with parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies and other special functions. The main celebrations are held in the form of a colourful parade near India Gate in the capital city of Delhi. The parade showcasing India's military might and cultural diversity covers an 8 km route, starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through the picturesque Rajpath down to India Gate before winding up at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi.

Fundu Fact The events of the day begin with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti (at India Gate). He then drives up to the central enclosure and awaits the arrival of the President. The first Republic Day Parade was held at Irwin Stadium (now renamed the National Stadium).

The President arrives in a car accompanied by the mounted soldiers of India's oldest army regiment the President's Bodyguards (raised way back in September 1773 at Varanasi). He meets the dignitaries present and unfurls the National Flag. Following the unfurling the National Anthem is played to a 21-gun salute. After this a brief investiture ceremony takes place during which the President awards India's top gallantry awards the Param Veer Chakra, the Veer Chakra and the Maha Veer Chakra.

Did you know? Each year a visiting head of state is given the pride of place as the chief guest of the Republic Day parade.

After this, four helicopters from the armed forces fly past the parade area showering rose petals on the audience. Each chopper carries a flag - the first being the Indian flag and the other three the flags of the army, the navy, and the air force. The march past begins immediately after the fly past. The President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the salute of the mechanised, mounted and marching contingents of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Paramilitary forces, Police and the National Cadet Corps.

Each contingent is accompanied by a regimental band. Fundu Fact 26 January is also a holiday in Australia. The day (called Australia Day) marks the landing of the English, led by Governor Phillip, onto Australian territory in 1788. It was declared a holiday in 1838 and is now celebrated throughout the country in many ways, from concerts to flag-raising ceremonies and fairs.

After the march past comes the cultural extravaganza consisting of floats presented by the various states and performances by school children. After the floats, the bravery awards winning children enter on elephants to much cheering and hand waving by the crowds. A spectacular flypast by Air Force and Naval aircraft rounds off this not-to-be missed experience. As the band once again strike up the National Anthem, the President departs accompanied by his bodyguards signalling the end of the Republic Day parade. What remains is the sight of the numerous balloons which are released to mark the end of the parade.