Delhi is in the grip of the harshest phase of winter. Not just nights,
but even the days are very cold. Sometimes the sun does not appear for
days together. It is hard to do one's routine chores as everything seems
to take twice as much time. Your fingers and toes go numb and the
shivering doesn't stop. There is no let up in the foggy conditions. An
occasional winter shower of rain worsens the misery of those who cannot
bear with this weather. The sun is very much sought after, having lost
its ferocity of the summer months. People are seen huddling in a small
patch of sun-if they are lucky enough to find one-just outside their
homes, on footpaths, in parks or just about anywhere. The roadside tea
stalls do brisk business. A hot cup of tea is welcome any time of the
day.
The month of January brings with it
Lohri which is a fun festival that marks the beginning of the end of
winter. Traditionally a harvest festival, it is celebrated by farmers in
Punjab and Haryana. Delhi is not far and
Lohri is very much a
part of the festive calendar in the city. It brings joy to those who are
weary of the chilly season, for celebration involves singing and
dancing around a bonfire. Now nothing can be more welcome than a warm
bonfire and the customary good food associated with this particular
festival. Families and friends get together and relish sweets made with
sesame seeds and jaggery, roasted peanuts, popcorn,
makke ki roti and
sarson ka saag.
The majestic Rajpath gets ready for the biggest spectacle of the year.
Preparations start well ahead of time. One can see workers busy at
putting up some structures on both sides of this splendid avenue months
before the event. They are erecting stands where spectators sit for
watching the grand Republic Day Parade. The imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan,
South Block, North Block and the entire Rajpath all the way up to the
impressive India Gate wears a festive look as the day approaches.
Most of us have been watching the Parade on TV for many
years. I managed to watch it live from the Rajpath only once. You have to
start really early, leave your car at a faraway parking lot and walk
the rest of the distance to your designated seat. There are strict
security checks and one is not allowed to carry anything to the venue.
There is excitement in the air as people dressed in colourful woollens
take their seats waiting eagerly for the Parade to begin.
The homage to the unknown soldier at the Amar Jawan Jyoti under the
India Gate, the smart march past by various regiments of the Armed
Forces, incredible stunts on motorbikes by daredevil military personnel,
National Bravery Award-winning children seated ceremoniously on
elephants, attractive floats from various states, energetic dances by
school children and the spectacular flypast by Air Force aircraft are
all familiar images etched on our collective memory. It sure is an
exhilarating experience to be there when the Republic Day Parade
progresses down the Rajpath on a cool winter morning in Delhi.
Equally uplifting is the Beating Retreat Ceremony held at the sprawling
Vijay Chowk three days after the Republic Day. It marks the end of the
Republic Day celebrations. It is a beautiful ceremony that starts in the
late afternoon and ends at dusk. Military bands play martial tunes and
other compositions with such energy that they echo in your mind long
after the event is over. The ceremony ends with the magnificent buildings on
Raisina Hills being lit up just when the sun is about to set. A truly
magical and memorable way to draw curtains on the Republic Day
festivities.
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