New Delhi: The Beating Retreat ceremony will be held at the Vijay Chowk today (Jan.29) starting from 6 pm.

The ceremony, organised on Jan.29 every year, marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations. It includes performance by the bands of three wings of the Military — Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force at Raisina Hills. 

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

The Beating Retreat ceremony marks a centuries-old military tradition when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. 

The ceremony begins with the arrival of the President accompanied by his bodyguards in their ceremonial dress. 

After the event, the Prime Minister walks around the Vijay Chowk and greets the crowd.

This year, the Inter-services guard will be commanded by Wing Commander Vipul Goyal. 

The Air Force march will be led by Flight Lieutenant Shrikant Sharma and three other officers. The Air Force band is to have 72 musicians and three drum majors.