6 Fun Facts About Rajpath & Central Vista Avenue, Delhi

As we Indians are celebrating the 75th year of Indian Independence, dubbed by the government as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, let’s take a trip down memory lane and dig up some cool facts about one of the most iconic and central areas in Delhi that recently got a revamp and a new name. Are you ready to build on your knowledge? Let’s see how many of these you already knew!

1. Rajpath Recently Got A Revamp & Was Renamed Kartavya Path

This year’s Republic Day parade took place on the newly-named and constructed Kartavya Path, formerly known as Rajpath. The Kartavya path includes the former Rajpath and Central Vista lawns and stretches from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

2. Parliament Building Is Considered To Be One Of The World’s Best Architectural Structures

Built by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, the Parliament house is one of the world’s best architectural designs. The circular design of the Parliament House is supposed to represent ‘continuity’.

3. Parliament Library Is The Second Largest In The Country

The largest library in the country, The National Library, is located in Kolkata making Parliament library the second largest in India. Also, the original Hindi & English versions of the constitution are preserved in Nitrogen chambers in the library! So cool!

4. Parliament House Carpet Colours Hold A Special Significance

The colours of the carpet laid out in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha hold meaning. The green colour in Lok Sabha represents agriculture and ground which signifies that the people elected come from the very roots of the country. The red carpet in Rajya Sabha represents the royal glory and also the freedom struggle and sacrifice of martyrs. How thoughtful!

5. India Officially Gained Independence In The Parliament House

The Central Hall in the Parliament House can be considered an important historical landmark as it’s the place where the official transfer of power from the UK to India took place when the clock struck midnight on 15th August 1947. Bet many of you didn’t know this one!

6. Rajpath Wasn’t Always The Republic Day Parade’s Starting Point

The first four Republic Day celebrations were not held at Rajpath! From the year 1950 to 1954, Republic Day events were organized at various locations including Irwin Stadium, Kingsway, Red Fort, and Ramleela Maidan. Isn’t that interesting?

How many of these facts did you already know? Let us know in the comments!