Down the Delhi Lane

Dear followers hope you enjoyed back-to-back bank holidays as I did. You know whenever there is no post on Sunday that means something unique is on the way. Keeping in mind the expectations this time I decided to evaluate something interesting and different in addition to wildlife (wait for Big Surprise on wildlife)  so let me tell you how it happened first and then will update you on fantastic time we all had for a day.

After some discussion amongst 3 babblers (Poorva, Yogesh and Me), the masterstroke came from Poorva, she searched for a wonderful place to evaluate in Delhi and that is to just for a day, this was a surprise for us as well.  She updated us that we can visit two most important places which people are not aware but it is The Best place to give respect to our Jawans and to gain knowledge about our history. The place is none other than Rashtrapati Bhavan for change of Guard ceremony and Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum for historical knowledge. This sounds interesting to us and immediately we finalized the itinerary, I know you are curious to know what we did and what all-unique things are there for you, so let me now start with details of the Delhi lane.

The Change of Guard Ceremony – A unique military tradition

What a ceremony it was, I was ashamed of myself that I was not aware of such a unique tradition of our own military. The tradition is in place since the British era and is still in place for the President of India. Let me provide you little bit details of it so as you can understand and take your kids to see the wonderful tradition of our military.

The President's Bodyguard (PBG), raised in 1773, is the senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. It is a Regiment carrying out ceremonial duties for the President of India. The PBG personnel are excellent horsemen, capable tankmen and paratroopers.

At Rashtrapati Bhavan the Ceremonial Army Guard battalion is responsible for providing ceremonial guards and sentries for the President of India. The thirty-minute ceremony commences with the PBG troops, astride their caparisoned, powerful, and well-groomed steeds advancing from behind the Jaipur Column to the tunes played by the Army Brass Band.

Thereafter the Parade Commander marches in, on whose ‘word of command’ the guard of 8th Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (Siachen), marches in. After inspection, the new guard takes position along with the old guard and both the guards exchange the national salute. Thereafter the new guard takes over the duties of guards and sentries. The ceremony ends with an equestrian display by the PBG and playing of the National Anthem.

Change of Guard Ceremony is held on every Saturday and Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan. A request to witness the Change of Guard Ceremony can be made online through a link on the website https://presidentofindia.gov.in/rbvisit/rbvisit_cog.aspx

A time with Legends – An excellent museum 

After the ceremony, it was time for another surprise that is part of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The museum inaugurated in the year 2016 by our PM and President, the detailing of the museum is just out of the world, we should appreciate the brain behind this museum because each small thing kept here is unique. It is consist of a combination of history as well as a glimpse of our Presidents. It starts with a statue of legends like Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Sardar Patel, Shri Ambedkar and many more along with different historical events displayed in an artistic manner, check out pictures to get more clarity. 

After historical events, it provides detailing of Presidents such as how many presidents we have seen till date, their personal belonging, unique pictures, their habits, and a recorded message from each one of them for us. It does not stop here, it adds a flavor of display of crockery used at Rashtrapati Bhavan, how the kitchen looks like, gifts received till date from all over the world, car used in past for President and many such meaningful and thoughtful stuff are kept open for display. We can actually feel we are in the President’s house and feel proud about it. 

The best part is yet to come, we also saw details of awards such as Bharat Ratna, Padmashree, Paramveer Chakra, etc, this was an amazing feeling, which is difficult to describe in words. The only request I am making here is that while you plan Delhi please take out a day especially with your kids and take them to these historical pride of our country, they will be able to relate to their studies and they will be able to value the kind of tradition our Country follows.

We could manage to get some lovely pics through mobiles as DSLR was not permitted inside. 

A Message of the Day - Jai Hind - Jai Jawan

I can only say that both the places are the pride of our Nation and we should visit at least once to understand our own culture and tradition. 

Vote of Thanks: Poorva deserves big thanks from Me and Yogesh for arranging this beautiful event. Thanks to Yogesh as well for nice company 

Author:

BT Wild Art
Life is Safari. Enjoy it.

A Journey of Pride

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Ceremony on the way

The Marche

The PBG personnel are excellent horsemen

The Museum 

Satyamev Jayate

The Mahatma on the walk

Jalian Wala bag 

Dandi Yatra 

The Constitution

A camera of Shri R. Venkataraman

Queen Mary and King George V

the buggy for the President

The Car for the president