Beating Retreat ceremony to be held today; Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament building, India Gate all decked up

New Delhi: Marking the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations, the beating the retreat ceremony will be held Friday evening at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.

Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament complex, India Gate and other important government buildings have been completely decked up in lights and tricolors ahead of the Beating Retreat ceremony.

Rashtrapati Bhavan decked up in lights on the eve of Beating Retreat ceremony pic.twitter.com/zGqlc11ZwO — ANI (@ANI_news) January 28, 2016

India Gate lit up in tricolours pic.twitter.com/7Ebe8fb0df — ANI (@ANI_news) January 28, 2016

This year, 15 Military Bands, 18 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions are participating in the ceremony.

Besides one each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force band will also form part of the event and for the first time, bands from the State Police and Central Armed Police Force will also perform at the ceremony.

Delhi Traffic Police has made elaborate arrangements keeping the ceremony in mind. According to an advisoryVijay Chowk will remain closed today for general traffic from 3.30 to 9.30 PM.

The traffic will not be allowed on the stretches on Rafi Marg and Raisina Road and the entry and exit at Udyog Bhawan and Central Secretariat Metro Stations will remain closed from 2 PM to 6.30 PM.

With ANI inputs