Change of Guard Ceremony

Rashtrapati Bhavan - Changing of the Guard Ceremony
A guided visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan - the official residence of the President of India is one of the largest building of its kind in the world. Rashtrapati Bhawan was once known as the Governor -General's House, a magnificent building designed by Edwin Lutyens between 1911-1916. The Governor-General of India, or Viceroy, was the head of the British Administration from 1858 to 1947 (India's independence) and remained in office until India had adopted its republican constitution in 1950. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is an eminent monument of British Empire which is said to be the palace of the Viceroy of India. Rashtrapati bhavan of Delhi is considered to be the best known monument of India next to glorious Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar. It is a real masterpiece that was built in the British Period. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is splendor with its different architectural designs and styles. The monument has the Mughal architectural designs, Persian art forms, Indian designs and the European architectural as well. It is the focal Point of New Delhi and situated in the Raisina hills. The total cost of constructing the Rashtrapati Bhavan crossed pond 1,253,000 in British India. It has 340 rooms, 37 salons, 74 lobbies and loggias, 18 staircases and 37 Fountains. It is spread over an area of approx. 200,000-sq-feet. It took 19 years to complete it. One commentator writes, "whether accidentally or by design, Lutyens created the new capital in the exact shape of the traditional Vastu Purusha {the god of construction, whose supine form determines the best metaphysical plan of a building site}, whose head is on Raisina Hill and whose feet rest at the Purana Quila [the oldest fort in Delhi]".

Change of Guard's Ceremony :
A "Change of Guard'' ceremony was unveiled at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 8, 2012 to the media. This ceremony will be held every saturday and it will be open to the public who will only have a photo ID card at the place of entry to Rashtrapati Bhavan from Gate No. 2 near Prime Minister's office.The Changing of the Guard Ceremony has a very ancient tradition in which the Infantry Army Guards and the President's Body Guards with clock-work precision. This traditon days back to the raising of the Body Guards in 1773. The Change of Guard ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was first opened to the Public in 2007. After the assumption of office by President Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Ceremony has been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and Public friendly. An equestrian display by the Presidents' Body Guard (PBG) in their ceremonial regalia has beeb added and the venue has been shifted to the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, with easier Public access. "Changing of the Guard" is a military traditon whose origins are lost in antiquity. From time immemorial, guards and sentries at Forts, Palaces and Defence establishments change periodically to enable a fresh body of soldiers take charge. The ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan was first opened to the Public in 2007. After the assumption of office by President Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the ceremony has been revamped and relocated to make it more visually appealing and public friendly. An equestrian display by the Presidents' Body Guard (PBG) in their ceremonial regalia has been added and the venue has been shifted to the Forecourt of Rashtrpati Bhavan, with easier public access.
The 40 minutes ceremony includes inspection of the New Guard, nomination of sentries, a formal march to take post and an exchange of compliments by the Guards. A formal military ritual, the ceremony is a coming together of smartly-attired soldiers of the impressive Army Guard and statuesque President's Bodyguard Troopers, astride their caparisoned, sleekly musculed,powerful and exquisitely groomed steeds. A zestful band and the impressive arrival and dispersal of the guard, makes the ceremony an unforgettable spectacle. The new Guard marches from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the dominion columns linig the two wings of the Central secretariat in perfect military tandem. After exchanging salutes, the sentries of the Old Guard hand over the keys to the New Guard on duty take post and the remainder troops march off to the tune of "Saare Jahan Se Achcha".

After the ceremony, visit the Rasahtrapati Bhavan Museum, another major attraction of this place. The museum was established in an erstwhile stable of the Rashtrpati Bhavan which housed horses and ceremonial coaches. It is a story-telling showcase which will narrate the story of the Rashtrapati Bhavan using sound-light-video animations. In this museum, you can walk through a simulated battlefields with arms mounted on warriors. There are various examples of furniture desgined by Lutyens himself and in subsequent period. There are ceremonial coaches, paintings, sketches and decorative art specimens offered as gifts to successive presidents.

Timings for the Ceremonial Changing of Guard:
"Change of Guard" Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan every Saturday.
Timings of the Ceremony as follows :
8:00 AM to 8:40 AM - March 15 to August 14
9:00 AM to 9:40 AM - August 15 to November 14
10:00 AM to 10:40 AM - 15 November to 14 March

Note :- The Change of guard Ceremony may be cancelled if the parade-area is rendered unusable due to inclement weather or VIP movements.

Museum timings & Open days as Follows :
Open days :- Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Timings :- 09h00 - 16h00
Entry & Exit :- Gate No. 30 on Mother Teresa Crescent Road.

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