India's military prowess and cultural diversity was showcased on the occasion of the nation's 66th Republic Day on Monday.
The event was observed with much gaiety and enthusiasm across the country.
In New Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee unfurled the national flag on Rajpath in the presence of this year's chief guest US President Barack Obama, US First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the formal salute of the President's Bodyguard (PBG) and the unfurling of the tricolour, the National Anthem was played with a 21-gun salute taking place in the background.
Earlier, the ceremony commenced at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying homage to martyrs by laying a wreath in the presence of Defence MInister Manohar Parrikar and the three service chiefs.
The parade commenced after President Pranab Mukherjee conferred the highest peacetime gallantry award-the Ashok Chakra-posthumously on Naik Neeraj Kumar Singh and Major Mukund Varadarajan who laid down their lives in anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The award was received by the wives of the martyrs.
With women's empowerment being the theme of this year's parade, for the first time in the nation's Republic Day celebrations, an all-women's contingent of the armed forces marched down the Rajpath.
The parade displayed indigenously developed medium-range surface-to-air missile 'Akash', multi barrel rocket launcher 'Pinaka', laser-guided missile capable T-90 Bheeshma tank, infantry combat vehicle BMP-II Sarath and T-72 with Trawl. The indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Kolkata was also displayed which was inducted in the Indian Navy in July last year.
The main attraction of the parade was a sparkling show of air power, fascinating tableaux depicting the diverse culture and dance by colorfully dressed school children.
Twenty-four children who were awarded National Bravery Awards also participated in the parade.
A total of 25 tableaux participated in the parade,with 16 of them belonging to states and the union territories. A giant mechanised lion symbolic of Make in India policy, huge mock-up of Karnataka's famed wooden toys, scale model of Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity, bullet train and safety and education of girl child were some of the attractions.
Republic Day celebrations also took place and reported on in all state capitals, including in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, the north eastern states, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Reports of sporadic blasts in the north east were reported, but there was no damage to life or property.
At the nation's borders, paramilitaries exchanged sweets with their neighbouring counterparts.
