Republic Day: everything a traveller needs to do for witnessing it live

With the Republic Day just around the corner, the first thing that comes to the mind of any traveller is the amazing display of country’s cultural richness, which is done through the day’s parade. Scheduled to take place on 26 January, the Republic Day celebrations, like every year, will showcase an amazing mix of tableaux from different Indian states along with military forces of the nation, including the Indian Army, its various regiments, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and others.

Witnessing Republic Day celebrations makes for no less than a unique experience for a lot of people. There are a lot of people who travel from different parts of the country just to witness the celebrations live. After all, it is a proud celebration for the country in presence of the biggest heads of state.

Getting a ticket

There are two ways to experience the Republic Day celebrations—either through special invitations or through tickets.

As opposed to most kinds of tickets that are available online, the Republic Day celebration tickets can be purchased only offline from the counters at various venues in New Delhi. The details of the same are given below:

● Departmental Sale Counters at North Block roundabout, South Block roundabout, Pragati Maidan (Gate No. 1, Bhairon Road), Jantar Mantar (Main Gate), Shastri Bhawan (near Gate No. 1), India Gate (near Jamnagar House), Red Fort (near police picket). (10 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. daily).

● Parliament House Reception Office. (11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday/Sunday/Holiday closed).

● Government of India Tourist Office, 88 Janpath. (Closed on Sundays).

● India Tourism Development Corporation (IDTC) Travel Counters at Ashok and Janpath Hotels. (Working days only).

● Delhi Tourism Development Corporation (DTDC) Counters at Coffee Home, Baba Kharag Singh Marg and Food and Craft Bazar, Dilli Haat, opposite INA Market and Shri Gandhi Ashram, Chandni Chowk. (Working days only).

Note: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card or government-issued identity card must be presented in order to purchase tickets.

Ticket prices

INR 500 for reserved seats, INR 200, INR 100 and INR 50 for unreserved seats. Reserved seats are located closer to the main stage where all the action takes place.

Things not allowed

Due to strict security measures in place on that day, things that will not be allowed at the venue are mobile phones, books, drinking water and remote car keys among other things.