Independence Day 2026: Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, Other Iconic Landmarks Illuminated on Eve of August 15 (Videos)
Major landmarks across India were illuminated in tricolour on the eve of the country’s 80th Independence Day. Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate and New Delhi Railway Station, Hyderabad’s Charminar, Chennai’s key buildings and the Salal Dam in Reasi were lit up ahead of August 15 celebrations.
Major landmarks across India were illuminated in the colours of the national flag on Friday, August 14, ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day celebrations. In Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block, India Gate and New Delhi Railway Station were lit up in tricolour, while Hyderabad’s Charminar and the Salal Dam in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, also joined the celebrations.
In Chennai, the Ripon Building, RBI Building, Port Trust of India building and Tamil Nadu Secretariat were illuminated in tricolour. The lighting of prominent public buildings and heritage landmarks comes a day before Independence Day, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the national celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi. Which Independence Day Is Celebrated in 2026?
Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, and South Block Decked Up
#WATCH | Delhi: Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, and South Block illuminated ahead of Independence Day celebrations. pic.twitter.com/ua23kbEdTi
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2026
India Gate Illuminates With Tricolour Lights
VIDEO | Delhi: India Gate illuminates with tricolour lights on the eve of 80th Independence Day.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/VV320sF6m2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2026
Charminar in Tricolour Lights
VIDEO | Hyderabad: Charminar illuminates with tricolour lights on the eve of 80th Independence Day.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/8yDQuPIsZL
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 14, 2026
New Delhi Railway Station Lights Up
#WATCH | Delhi: New Delhi Railway Station illuminated ahead of Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/vQnWx3Ntbz
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2026
Ripon Building, RBI Building, Port Trust of India building & TN Secretariat Lit Up
#WATCH | Chennai: Ripon Building, RBI Building, Port Trust of India building & TN Secretariat lit up in tricolour for Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/0i5AFANx3P
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2026
Salal Dam Lights Up
#WATCH | Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir: Salal Dam illuminated in tricolour ahead of Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/lZsn4WF9jW
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2026
Several of the capital’s most recognisable landmarks were illuminated in tricolour on the eve of Independence Day. Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block were lit up ahead of the celebrations, adding to the festive atmosphere in the national capital.
India Gate was also illuminated with tricolour lights, while New Delhi Railway Station was lit up ahead of August 15. The illuminations form part of the preparations for the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Delhi.
In Hyderabad, the historic Charminar was illuminated with tricolour lights on the eve of Independence Day. The iconic monument, one of the city's best-known landmarks, was among prominent sites across the country decorated in the national colours ahead of August 15.
Several major government and public buildings in Chennai were also illuminated in tricolour. The Ripon Building, RBI Building, Port Trust of India building and Tamil Nadu Secretariat were lit up for Independence Day. The coordinated illumination of these buildings marked the eve of the national celebrations across Tamil Nadu's capital.
In Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, the Salal Dam was also illuminated in tricolour ahead of Independence Day. The landmark joined the nationwide display of public buildings and infrastructure being lit up in saffron, white and green to mark the occasion.
The illuminations come as cities across the country prepare for Independence Day on Saturday, August 15. The national ceremony will be held at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to unfurl the national flag and deliver his Independence Day address.
The 2026 celebrations are focused on “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”, highlighting the role of India's youth in the country's development journey. The celebrations will also mark 150 years of Vande Mataram.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 09:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
