New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS): The Change of Guard ceremony that takes place every Saturday at Rashtrapati Bhavan will not be held Jan 17 and 24 due to the Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony Jan 29, officials said Monday.
"The Ceremonial Change of Guards at Rashtrapati Bhavan will not be held on Jan 17 and 24 due to rehearsals of the Republic Day parade (Jan 26) and Beating Retreat Ceremony (Jan 29)," a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.
The ceremony, a military tradition, is held in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan when a fresh unit of troops takes charge.
Opened for public viewing in 2007, the ceremony was revamped and relocated in December 2012 after President Pranab Mukherjee assumed office. The step was taken to make the ceremony more visually appealing and public-friendly.