The regal splendour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Change of the Guard ceremony

The Change of Guard's Ceremony takes place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the residence of the President of India and is guarded by the President’s Body Guard -- the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army.The ceremony is held every Saturday and is open to public. (RAJ K RAJ / HT )

Published on: Dec 17, 2016 10:15 PM IST

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The Change of Guard's Ceremony takes place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the residence of the President of India and is guarded by the President’s Body Guard -- the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army.The ceremony is held every Saturday and is open to public. (RAJ K RAJ / HT )

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Every Saturday, the old and new guard which consist a troop from the President’s Body Guard and another platoon from an Indian Army regiment parade for the guard change ceremony in their ceremonial regalia. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The ceremony, which takes place on the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, provides an equestrian display and foot drill supported by a military band that lasts about 30 minutes. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The Army Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers Brass Band perform at the Change of Guard Ceremony. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) march pass during the Change of Guard Ceremony. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAK LI) march pass during the Change of Guard Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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Soldiers of the Presidential Bodyguard regiment at the Ceremony. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The primary role of the President’s Bodyguard is to escort and protect the President of India. The President’s Bodyguard is a mounted unit for ceremonies at the presidential palace. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The Presidents Bodyguard is a mounted unit, for ceremonies at the presidential palace. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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Men in the President’s Bodyguard are from the old warrior classes -- the Rajputs, Sikhs and the Jat regiment. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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When the New Guard is formed at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the respective guards are inspected by their officers. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The Junior Commissioned Officer of the Old and New Guard patrol are seen here. (Raj K Raj/HT )

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The sentries who have been relieved rejoin the Old Guard and the Junior Commissioned Officers return to their posts , while the New Guard are presented with arms. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The New Guard, accompanied by the band then marches off to take up their duties. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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An audience takes pictures during the Change of Guard Ceremony. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The President’s Bodyguard, raised in 1773, is the senior-most Regiment of the Indian Army. It is a Regiment with horses carrying out ceremonial duties for The President. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The President’s Bodyguard’s officers and men are excellent horsemen, capable tank men and paratroopers. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The President’s Bodyguard, raised in 1773, is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The President’s Body Guard also serves on the highest and coldest battlefield in the world, the Siachen Glacier. The physical standards for recruitment into this elite Regiment are very exacting, six feet being the minimum height for enrolment. The horses also have to be more than 15.2 hands. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The day’s ceremony ends with an equestrian display by the PBG before they ride away towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan and playing of the National Anthem. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Visitors during the Change of Guard Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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The New Guard, accompanied by the band marches off to take up their duties during the Change of Guard's Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The day’s ceremony ends with an equestrian display by the PBG before they ride away towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan and with the playing of the National Anthem. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

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Visitors during the Change of Guard Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)