Photos: Gearing up for the Beating Retreat at Raisina Hills

The stage is set for this year’s Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, when regal bands representing the Indian Armed Forces and the Paramilitary will descend down Raisina Hill, on what is the culmination of four days of Republic Day celebrations. Their tunes filling the air, and with the President and Prime Minister in attendance, the armed forces contingents will then return to their bases across the length and breadth of the country –until next year.

Published on: Jan 28, 2021 3:50 PM IST

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Tri-services bands performing during the full dress rehearsals for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk on January 27. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The President's convoy arrives during the full dress rehearsals for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk on January 27. ‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed arms and withdrew from the battlefield, returning to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The president's Bodyguards on horse-mount marching down Vijay Chowk during the rehearsals on January 27. The function begins with the President arriving at the venue. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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Air Force, Army and Navy bands performing during the full dress rehearsals on January 27. Bands from the three armed force services and paramilitary perform during the Beating Retreat of Republic Day celebrations. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The Air Force band performing during the full dress rehearsals on January 27. The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed a unique display by the massed bands. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The Army and Navy bands marching down Vijay Chowk in all their livery during the full dress rehearsals on January 27. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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The finale of the event is the signal by the buglers and Raisina Hill breaking out into a dazzling array of lights that bathe Rashtrapati Bhawan and the twin North Block and South Block. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)