Vijay Chowk

This broad ceremonial plaza sits at the foot of Raisina Hill between the two Secretariat blocks, forming the western climax of the capital's central vista. Laid out by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in the imperial plan of New Delhi, its name means Victory Square. It is best known as the setting for the Beating Retreat ceremony each January, when massed bands perform against the floodlit sandstone facades. On ordinary days the square offers sweeping views up to Rashtrapati Bhavan and down the tree-lined avenue toward India Gate.