Rajpath

View of Raj Path, from Raisina Hill, with India Gate at its end

Rajpath meaning "King's Way" is the ceremonial boulevard for the Republic of India. It runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium, Delhi. The New Delhi avenue is lined on both sides by lawns with rows of trees and ponds. Unarguably, the most important stretch of road in India, where the annual Republic Day parade takes on January 26, Rajpath goes straight towards Raisina Hill, India's administrative center. Janpath crosses this road.

After climbing Raisina Hill, Rajpath is flanked by North Block and South Block. Finally it ends at the gates of Rashtrapati Bhavan. At Vijay Chowk it crosses Sansad Marg and the Parliament House of India can be seen to the right if coming from India Gate.

Rajpath (Hindi for King's Way) itself is the road used on 26 January each year for India's Republic Day Parade. Celebration of India becoming a republic and showcase of India's cultural diversity and military might. It is also used for funeral processions of important India's political leaders. The opening scene of the movie Gandhi starts at Rajpath.

Rajpath runs East-West, roads from Connaught Place the financial center of Delhi run into Rajpath from North.

The Rajpath with the Rastrapati Bhavan in the background.

• The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. It was the Viceroy's residence before India's independence.
• North Block and South Block, also called the Secretariat Buildings. North Block hosts the offices of Finance and Home ministries. South Block hosts External affairs and Defense ministries . Other important offices like some of the Prime Ministers Offices are also in the Secretariat Buildings.
• Vijay Chowk (Hindi for Victory Square) a spacious Plaza is the site of Beating the Retreat ceremony on 29 January.
• India Gate is India's war memorial arch in honour of those who died in the first World War and second Afghan War. It is also India's memorial of the Unknown Soldier.

History

The city plan of New Delhi (the area surrounding Rajpath) was made by British architect, Edwin Lutyens. Rajpath, was of central importance to the plan. Lutyens wanted a panoramic view of the city of Delhi from the palace of the Viceroy. The view from Raisina Hill runs unhindered across Rajpath and India Gate and is obstructed only by the National Stadium.

Most of the building surrounding Rajpath, were designed by Lutyens and Herbert Baker.