The ceremony usually attracted foreign tourists but was not a big draw among the domestic tourists due to lack of awareness. And now the President's Secretariat is hoping to woo domestic tourists through a campaign jointly with the Delhi tourism.

"We have taken the decision to allow public to watch the famous Ceremonial Change of Guard every Saturday. This was a practice followed earlier and we are only trying to revive the same," officials at Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

This, according to them, will also help in bringing in tourists mainly from the domestic circuit to see the spectacular ceremony, which is akin to the more famous spectacle in Buckingham Palace in London.

The only difference between the Change of Guard in London and India is that while Rashtrapati Bhavan sees the change every week, the ceremonial change takes place every third day at Buckingham palace.

"I hope this will give a fillip to the domestic tourism in the national capital and for this we have roped in Delhi Tourism and Incredible India to promote this function," the officials said.

The ceremonial change of guard was open always to public but there were a few or none witnessing this except for foreign tourists.

The decision of the Rashtrapati Bhavan comes at a time when security concerns and repeated threats from terrorists are making it tough for public to visit premises of historic institutions.

"We could see some foreign tourists, who appreciated it. This gave us an idea as to why not publicise it and bring in domestic tourists," officials, associated in the decision to make this public, said.

The decision comes at a time when Government is talking tough about guarding vital installations. "Adequate security measures are being taken, its nothing new. We are only giving it a required publicity. If this can be a tourist attraction in London, why cant it be here?" reasoned the official.

Every Saturday morning, the roads along the Rajpath will be cleared of all vehicles for the public to watch the ceremony when Presidential Body Guards (PBGs) would be marching from South Suken Road.

Change of the guard is a military tradition and from time immemorial, guards and sentries at forts, palaces and defence establishments change daily to enable a fresh group of soldiers to take charge.

In Summer the ceremony is held early morning at 0630 hours, in Spring and Autumn at 0800 hours and during winters, it takes place at 1000 hours.

Soldiers of the band and marching contingents are assigned from different regiments for duty over a short period of time in rotation whereas the mounted troops are permanently stationed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The PBG is the oldest and senior most unit of the Indian Army and the President's personal troops. It was raised in Benares (now Varanasi) in September 1773.

When the New Guard is formed between the Dominion Columns of North Block sentries are nominated and the respective guards are inspected by their officers as the band plays 'Sammaan Guard'.