From years of watching the live telecast on Doordarshan to experiencing it live at Kartavypath, Delhi, witnessing the Republic Day parade provided countless goosebump moments. It was truly a dream come true to stand at the very place where the Indian military forces display their strength, the unity in diversity of India is showcased, and, most importantly, our Constitution is honoured with unanimous pride.
I wholeheartedly thank my friend Mithun, who is in Indian Air Force who got us the admit cards to the Republic Day parade, 2025.
Day 1 - Old Delhi
We travelled to Delhi on the evening of January 24th. Upon our arrival in the early morning of January 25th, we checked into our hotel and took some time to rest. We then proceeded to Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk) to enjoy a delightful brunch before exploring the historic charm of Delhi near Lal Quila. As we were unable to visit Jama Masjid during our previous trip to Delhi, it was our first destination on this occasion.
The next destination was Dilli Haat, a picturesque marketplace featuring a diverse array of products from across India. Numerous stalls represent various Indian states, offering an assortment of items ranging from pashmina shawls and paintings to jewellery, bags, and dress materials.
The next destination was Qutb Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visiting this place in the evening is particularly captivating. As day turns to night, the minaret and the surroundings are all lit up, creating a peaceful ambiance that enhances the experience. The evening light highlights the architectural beauty of the tower.
We made our way to the retro bar Dramz, just a short walk from Qutb Minar. This cozy spot offers tasty food and drinks with amazing views of the beautifully lit-up Minar. It was an awesome dinner for sure.
Day 2 - The Republic Day Parade
We got up super early, like 5am, got ourselves ready, and grabbed an Uber to Kartavypath. You can't drive anywhere near the event area, so we had to go through some serious security checks. But we finally made it to our VIP section, took a front-row seat, and just relaxed and enjoyed the vibes until everything started.
After a while, the distinguished Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh, arrived at the event. It was a privilege to observe the honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, greeting the audience as his convoy escorted him to the event's main area. Following this, the Presidential guards arrived with the honourable President, Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, accompanied by the guest of honour, H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia. Everyone stood up for the National Anthem and then the most awaited parade began.
The Indian Republic Day Parade 2025 was a grand spectacle, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and military strength of India. This annual event commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950, marking the transition of India into a sovereign republic.
This year’s parade featured a variety of crafted floats representing different states and union territories, each illustrating unique traditions, folk art, and the socio-economic development of the regions. Also a variety of cultural performances that highlight the rich Indian music and dance forms, were displayed, captivating the audience with their energy and vibrancy.
The military segment of the parade showcased the disciplined might of the Indian Armed Forces. It was indeed with great pride, we witnessed the impressive display of marching contingents from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with a variety of military hardware, including tanks, artillery, and advanced fighter jets that will fly over the parade route in a stunning flypast. This segment serves not only as a demonstration of military strength but also as a tribute to the sacrifices made by soldiers in the line of duty. Also, in the parade this time, Pralay, the missile indigenously developed as part of the Make in India program was displayed.
The atmosphere was filled with patriotic fervour as we all waved the national flag and sang the national anthem. As the event drew to a close, the Indian Air Force executed impressive aerial displays with various fighter jets and aircraft, creating stunning formations in the sky, leaving us all in awe of the spectacle.
We were super happy to have witnessed the event live and with lot of pride, gratitude and satisfaction, proceeded to explore Delhi further for the rest of the day. We had to walk a lot as there were traffic restrictions as well as lot of crowd post the event. Finally, we got to a metro station and headed towards Vasant Vihar, to Leo's Artisan Pizza for lunch.
Later in the evening, took metro to Gurugram to see the modern Cyber City. It reminded me of Dubai! The place is so modern with several outlets, restaurants, tech hubs and places to chill and relax.
Day 3 - More of Delhi and Beating Retreat
Our day started with a visit to the ISKCON temple, and we were fortunate to be present during the arti ceremony. The atmosphere was filled with devotion to Lord Krishna, as bhajans were sung and devotees were deeply engaged in their prayers.
Next, we travelled by metro to the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. After offering our prayers, we had our meal in the Langar provided by the Gurudwara, which was our first experience and it was a truly gratifying experience.
By evening, we took our admit cards and went to Vijay Chowk, next to Rashtrapati Bhavan to witness the rehearsal of the Beating Retreat by the Indian military forces.
Beating Retreat is a ceremonial event that marks the conclusion of the day in military contexts, traditionally observed by armed forces around the world. The bands of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force participate in this event, demonstrating their exceptional talent. The display of various formations, along with the performance of bands playing some of the most renowned patriotic songs, was a remarkable spectacle.
We took photographs in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was beautifully illuminated in the colours of the Indian National flag. Later, we proceeded to India Gate, where we spent some time before having dinner. We then departed for the airport to catch our flight back to Kochi, carrying with us memories that will last a lifetime.
Delhi Metro
During our trip, we extensively utilised the Delhi Metro and found it to be extremely convenient, safe, reliable, clean, and offering excellent connectivity to all areas of Delhi. In one of the stations where the Metro Museum is, there was this huge wall with message dedicated to Shri E Sreedharan, our beloved Metro Man of India.
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