In a departure from tradition, the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade, US President Barack Obama, today arrived in his own highly-secured bomb-proof vehicle, ‘The Beast,’ at Rajpath.

The Republic Day Chief Guest normally travels with the President of India in his car from Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Obama, along with wife Michelle, was received by Vice President Hamid Ansari and his wife Salma, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

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A motorcade, with ‘The Beast’ leading, of cars carrying U.S. President Barack Obama (not pictured), arrives at the venue for the 66th Republic Day parade in New Delhi January 26, 2015. Obama watched a dazzling parade of India’s military might and cultural diversity on Monday, the second day of a visit trumpeted as a chance to establish a robust strategic partnership between the world’s two largest democracies. REUTERS

President Pranab Mukherjee arrived soon after.

In Pics: Barack Obama’s ‘The Beast’ hits Delhi roads

Since 2012, the President of India travels in a heavily armoured black Mercedes Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard. The armour is designed to protect against military rifle shots, bomb shrapnels and other explosives.

The Beast, based on a Cadillac DTS, is the first Presidential limousine not to have a specific model name.