The new timing for the "Ceremonial Changing of Guard" at Rashtrapati Bhavan will be 0900 hrs to 0940 hrs from August 15, 2012, to November 14, 2012.

During the "Ceremonial Changing of the Guard", troopers of the President's Body Guard and infantry soldiers of the Army Guards change guard with clock-work precision. This ceremony takes place at North and South Block Square and inside Gate No. 1 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The exercise involves inspection of the New Guard, nomination of sentries, a formal march to take post and exchange of compliments by the Guards. It is also accompanied by the playing of an impressive band. This spectacle is held every Saturday and is open to the public.

The 'Change of Guard' is a military ritual steeped in tradition. The President's Body Guard, as is known today was raised in 1773 at Benares by the then Governor General, Warren Hastings. It was first christened as 'The Guard of Moguls' in 1773 and came to be known as "The President's Body Guard" when India became a Republic on January 26, 1950.

This release issued at 1900 hrs