Radiant Rashtrapati Bhavan puts Delhi in Republic Day mood

The Raisina Hill area, including Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat Buildings, has been decorated for the Republic Day celebrations.

As the country is set to celebrate the 68th Republic Day, Raisina Hill, the seat of government, bears a resplendent look. Traditionally the area, that includes North Block, South Block, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Rajpath is decorated with lights to mark the day. The official celebration of Republic Day spans over four days. It is marked by illumination of Raisina Hill area, address by the President, parade past the India Gate and the Beating Retreat ceremony. This year, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, is the chief guest of the parade.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is illuminated with lights ahead of the 68th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

A view of the illuminated North Block (right) which primarily houses finance ministry and ministry of home affairs. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

A view of the South Block which houses the Prime Minister’s Office, ministry of defence and the ministry of external affairs. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)

The two blocks together also referred to as the Secretariat Building flank the Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT PHOTO)