Beating Retreat Ceremony: The Republic Day celebrations are synonymous with the R-day parade aired across the country's electronic media on the morning of 26 January that shows the Indian republic in all its glory. However, many miss the Beating Retreat ceremony which commemorates the end of the Republic Day celebrations and is performed on the evening of January 29th every year. The ceremony, in a way, marks the return of defence forces to their barracks as they were in the capital to be a part of Republic Day celebrations. In addition, the Beating Retreat ceremony holds special significance as it marks centuries-old military tradition. In the olden times, troops stopped fighting at the sounding of retreat, they sheathed their weapons and retreated from the battlefield and returning to their barracks at sunset. Here are the pictures that mark the glorious end to the Republic Day celebrations – (Photo Credits: GD Mehra, R. Mangraj & V. Kumar, Photo Division DPR MOD) 
As part of India’s Beating Retreat ceremony, bands which belong to all three military wings – the Army, the Navy and the Air Force – perform at the famed Raisina Hill and the Vijay Chowk, which is majestically flanked by the North and South block. (Photo Credits: GD Mehra, R. Mangraj & V. Kumar, Photo Division DPR MOD) 
The ceremony began with the arrival of the President for the ceremony along with his mounted bodyguards amidst the sound of fanfare sounded by the trumpeters of the Brigade of the Guards. -
On Monday, the traffic police put in some traffic restrictions due to the rehearsal of the Beating Retreat ceremony, as per the advisory released. Vijay Chowk remained closed for general traffic from 3.30pm to 9.30pm on Monday. (Photo Credits: GD Mehra, R. Mangraj & V. Kumar, Photo Division DPR MOD)
President’s Bodyguards rehearsing for the arrival of the Republic's President, their commander signalled the unit to give the salute. -
The national flag was unfurled at the venue with the national anthem by the bands reverberating throughout.
-
Beating retreat ceremony which commemorates the end of the Republic Day celebrations and is performed on the evening of January 29th every year.
-
With time, the main focus of the ceremony has remained as it was, however several changes have been made since then in keeping with the times.
-
Furthermore, besides the western band instruments, India has also introduced traditional Indian instruments such as shehnai for the ceremony.
-
The beating retreat ceremony, dates back to 17th century England and has been performed in England since the 50s, when Major GA Roberts from Grenadier battalion was directed to come up with a ceremony for the display of the massed bands.
-
The horse-mounted personnel with the Indian national flag
-
Since 2016, bands from different Indian security forces have also participated in the event.
-
These include the central armed police forces and state police as well.
The caravan of the vehicles seen making their way 
The sun begins to set as the ceremony heads towards its conclusion. 
A glorious view of the famed Raisina Hill and the Vijay Chowk
