Significance of Indian Republic Day

The Punjab Regiment contingents pass through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi (23 January, 2011)

MBT Arjun MK-1 Tank passing through the Rajpath during the 64th Republic Day Parade (26 January, 2013, New Delhi)

The BrahMos Missile System passes through the Rajpath during the 60th Republic Day Parade. (26 January, 2009, New Delhi)

Indian Agni 5 intercontinental ballistic missile and Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher at the Republic Day Parade (2013)

Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26 January to commemorate the date and moment when the Constitution of India came into effect. Although India attained independence on 15 August, 1947 but till 1949 it did not have its own constitution and instead were functioning under the laws enacted and implemented by the British. And after many amendments the Constitution was approved and accepted on 26 November, 1949 that came into force in a full-fledged fashion from 26 January, 1950. Republic Day celebration is the moment to remember the coming of the Constitution into effect.

26 January was selected for this purpose because it was this day in 1930 when the Declaration of Indian Independence (Purna Swaraj) was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress.

India celebrates its Republic Day in colourful and exciting ways. On Republic Day, every year in New Delhi, a grand parade is held that starts from the Raisina Hill in the neighborhood of the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan and passes along the Rajpath thus ending at India Gate. The President, Prime Minister and other high rank officials of India on this occasion make their presence at Rajpath to celebrate the occasion. The President unfolds the National flag as soon as the National Anthem is played and also addresses the nation with Republic Day speech. The Republic Day parade also includes lively displays and exhibits India's colouful culture. This celebration helps to bring the entire nation together. The parade concludes with the flypast by Indian Air Force jets. 

The heroes who showed courage and bravery for country's sake without bothering their own lives is remembered and conferred prestigious and significant awards including Kirti Chakra and Ashok Chakra are conferred on the event by the President. Since 1950, for Republic Day celebrations India has been inviting guests of high dignitaries of another country as the state guest of honour. 

Other states also celebrate Republic Day with great enthusiasm and in numerous innovative ways. The public offices and schools will remain closed to celebrate the significance of the day. 

On this day people send warm wishes about Republic Day to their friends that contribute a festive ambience to the historic occasion. 

The festivity of Republic Day concludes officially with the intriguing Beating Retreat ceremony on the evening of 29th January. This enthralling ceremony is performed by the military, the Indian Air Force, India Navy and India Army in the Raisina Hills, New Delhi, in front of the President of India as the Chief Guest. 

Beating Retreat : 

The Beating Retreat ceremony officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities. It is conducted on the evening of 29 January, the third day after the Republic Day. It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The venue is Raisina Hills and an adjacent square, Vijay Chowk, flanked by the North and South block of the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) towards the end of Rajpath. 

The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the (PBG), a cavalry unit.

Republic Day Celebration of Hisar City (2014) (Hindi) (720p HD)

Watch out live video of Republic Day Celebration held at Mahavir Stadium of Hisar District. 

Republic Day is celebrated every year on 26 January to commemorate the date and moment when the Constitution of India came into effect.

Significance of Janmashtami ~ Pandit Amarchand (Hindi) (720p HD)

Watch out beautiful explanation of Janmashtami by Pandit Amarchand (Shree Devi Temple, Hisar). 

Janmashtami or the birthday of Lord Krishna has a huge spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is believed that lord Vishnu reincarnated in the form of lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. Lord Krishna was born in the darkness of night, inside a cell of a jail where His parents were locked up by Cruel King Kansa. It is said that at the moment of his birth, all the guards slept off, the chains broke and the barred doors gently flew open.

Krishna Janmashtmi or Gokulashtami is a popular festival of India and celebrated among Hindus with a great passion. Krishna Janmashtmi, Krishna Ashtami or Gokulashtami is a popular festival of India and celebrated among Hindus with a great zeal. 

Janamashtmi has a story behind its origin and celebration. There was a king of Mathura named Kansa who was a wicked king. He had sister Devaki whose husband was Vasudeva. There was a prediction that Sri Krishna will born from Devaki and he would kill Kansa. But the way this prediction was made, there will be the eighth avatar of lord vishnu who would kill Kansa. So, being an eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, he was born in the middle of the night. Finally, Sri Krishna killed the wicked king, Kansa. 

Krishna Janamashtmi is the day, when prayers and bhajans are sung by the people. Holy mantras are chanted out by the people on this day. People offer their prayers to Sri Krishna. 

The temples of Lord Krishna are decorated, and bhajans and kirtans are sung or played on Janmashtami’s night. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. The idol of the Baal Gopal or Little Krishna is placed in a cradle as a symbol of his birth. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. At midnight, the statue of infant Krishna is bathed and placed in a cradle, which is rocked, amidst the blowing of conch shells and the ringing of bells. 

The main significance of this festival lies in encouraging the goodwill and discouraging the bad will. We are bound with so many shackles of anger, greed, temptations, attachments and pain. But as the Lord takes birth, every bit of the darkness fades away and we are released from all the chains of the worldly pleasures.