Rashtrapati Bhavan's Change of Guard ceremony to take place at revised time
New Delhi, March 6
The Change of Guard ceremony, held every Saturday in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, will now take place at a revised time. Starting this Saturday the ceremony will be held from 8 AM to 9 AM.
According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Change of Guard ceremony is a longstanding military tradition whose origins date back to ancient times. Historically, guards and sentries stationed at palaces, forts, and defence establishments were replaced at regular intervals to allow a fresh group of troops to assume duty.
The 30-minute ceremony is held every Saturday and symbolises the formal transfer of responsibility between guards. During the ceremony, guards and sentries are changed periodically, continuing a tradition followed in several military establishments.
At Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ceremonial Army Guard Battalion is responsible for providing ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India. The ceremony has recently been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and accessible to the public. The venue has been shifted to the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, allowing easier access for visitors.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the effort to make it more 'visually appealing', I hope the core solemnity and military precision of the tradition isn't lost. It's a ceremony, not a tourist show. The revised 8 AM timing is much better than the previous one though.
Took my kids last month. They were mesmerized by the discipline and the uniforms. Making it easier for visitors to see is a great step to connect citizens with our military traditions. Jai Hind!
As a visitor from abroad, I saw this ceremony and it was incredibly impressive. The pageantry and history are fascinating. Good to know the exact time now for my friends who are planning a trip to Delhi.
It's a proud moment to witness such traditions that connect our ancient past with the present. The soldiers perform with such dedication. Hope the new venue has proper facilities for the public, especially in the summer heat.
Practical change. 8 AM on a Saturday is a reasonable time. Earlier it was too early for many. Now more people, including school groups, can plan to attend. Kudos to the authorities for thinking about public access.
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