Integrating Bharat

As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021, with the iconic Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi, honouring the military forces, everyone’s eyes were on tableaus of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand that presented the rich culture and heritage of Bharat

The Republic Day celebration has always been synonymous with grand parades, participation of citizens from all walks of life, thousands of audiences, and a real upbeat atmosphere. However, this year the Republic Day came amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The centre of attraction at this year’s Republic Day were tableaus of UP, Karnataka and Uttarakhand. All eyes were glued on to the tableau of Union Territory of Ladakh, which was making its debut after abrogation of Article 370.

A total of 32 tableaus rolled down on Rajpath from 17 States including Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Tripura, West Bengal, Sikkim, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and National Capital of Delhi. They depicted the geographical and nd rich cultural diversity of the country.

The tableau which grabbed maximum attention was the tableau of UP that displayed a replica of Shri Ram Mandir. The ancient city of the temple town, designed on the theme “Ayodhya and Ram Mandir”, came alive. There was loud clapping as the construction of Ram Temple is a matter of faith for the large majority of the country. The cultural heritage of Ayodhya was palpable with mannequin of sadhus and recitation of stories from Ramayan.

The visitors got a glimpse into Deepotsav which was showcased through earthen lamps that were decorated on one side of the tableau. Simultaneously, other murals showed Bhagwan Ram embracing Nishadraj, Hanuman bringing Sanjeevani, Jatayu-Ram samvad, salvation of Ahilya, Ashok Vatika and other scenes. A sitting mural of Maharishi Valmiki fronted the bedecked tableau and the Ram Mandir occupied a large portion on the rear side.

The Ram Mandir tableau was also chosen as the best among the tableaux of 17 states and Union Territories that participated in the Republic Day parade on January 26.

Uttarakhand’s tableau presented Kedarnath Mandir in the Republic Day parade. It honoured the glory of Bhagwan Shiv. The tableau highlighted the cultural revival of the Kedarnath Dham after the State was devastated by the unprecedented floods of 2013.

The tableau’s front part depicted the State’s animal Musk Deer. Bird Monal and flower Brahma Kamal, found in the higher Himalayan regions, idols of Adi-Guru Shankaracharya were also on display at the tableau. The tableau showed Nandi of Bhagwan Shiv, travellers visiting Kedarnath Dham and devotees absorbed in devotion at the backend. The rear portion of the tableau showcased the temple of Bhagwan Kedar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. A Divya Shila was also shown, behind the temple. This divine rock stood in the way of the floods and saved the Kedarnath Mandir from getting destroyed.

The tableau of the newly formed Union Territory of Ladakh which made its debut at the Republic Day parade after coming into existence in 2019 was a feast for the eyes. The tableau highlighted Vision for Ladakh. It showcased prospects and development of green Ladakh by using natural resources and generating horticulture products like apricot and organic farming, besides development of tourism. The tableau also displayed composite culture and communal harmony besides art and architecture, languages and dialects, customs and costumes, fairs and festivals, literature, crafts, and Ladakhi music. Ladakh’s tableau also depicted the iconic Thiksey Monastery that is located on top of a hill in Thiksey in Leh district. It is one of the region’s most-visited tourist sites. On August 5, 2019, the Central Government abrogated Article 370, bi-furcated the State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The Indian Astronomical Observatory, located in Hanle near Leh, one of the world’s highest sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes was also seen.

From Karnataka, it was always the tableau of Tipu Sultan who was a Hindu mass murderer, responsible for temple destructions and suppression of Kannada but for the very first time, Karnataka’s tableau displayed Vijayanagara Empire on the Republic Day Parade. It had Raja Krishnadevaraya, Hampi’s sculptures, Bhagwan Narasimha and Vithoba temples and prominent pillars and sculptures.

The tableau depicted the 500-year-old Lepakshi temple at Lepakshi in Anantapur district. The 27-feet long and 15 feet high of Lord Veerabhadra temple displayed the rich sculpture and tradition of Vijayanagar. The temple was carved in a single stone five centuries ago. The tableau also displayed Bhagwan Vinayaka, seven-headed Nagendra and granite Shiva Lingams

The parade has presented India in a microcosm where its rich and varied cultural diversity was on full display understanding its underlying unity and integrity.