Watch: Beating retreat ceremony underway at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi

VIDEO | National Anthem played by the bands at Beating Retreat Ceremony. pic.twitter.com/yN8teCnXZa

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 29, 2024

President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu has arrived at the venue in the traditional ‘buggy’, which was brought back during this year’s Republic Day parade after a gap of 40 years.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several Union ministers, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, the three service chiefs, senior officials, besides the general public are attending the mega event.

#WATCH | Military bands enthral audience at ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony at Vijay Chowk in Delhi #BeatingRetreatCeremony pic.twitter.com/PkrJuQnUap

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2024

Meanwhile, traffic restrictions were in place in central Delhi due to the ceremony. In an advisory issued on Friday, the Delhi traffic police said traffic restrictions will be in place from 2 pm to 9.30 pm on Monday and Vijay Chowk will remain closed to traffic.

Traffic will not be allowed on Rafi Marg between Sunehri Masjid roundabout and Krishi Bhawan roundabout, Raisina Road from Krishi Bhawan roundabout towards Vijay Chowk, beyond Dara Shikoh roundabout, Krishna Menon Marg roundabout and Sunehri Masjid towards Vijay Chowk, the advisory said. Traffic will also be restricted on Kartavya Path between Vijay Chowk and ‘C’ Hexagon, it said.

The Raisina Hills “will witness all-Indian tunes” which will be played during the Beating Retreat ceremony, the defence ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

“The music bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will play 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes before a distinguished audience,” it said.

The Beating Retreat ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.

It marks a centuries-old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms, withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags are lowered. The ceremony creates nostalgia for the times gone by, it said.