Modi's maroon turban and Operation Sindoor steal Republic Day spotlight
Modi's maroon turban and Operation Sindoor steal Republic Day spotlight
PM Modi wears a deep maroon silk sehra with gold morpankh motifs at Kartavya Path, highlighting textile traditions and Operation Sindoor during Republic Day 2026.
At Kartavya Path for the 77th Republic Day parade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived to salute alongside President Droupadi Murmu, after laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. He drew attention once again with a distinctive deep maroon silk sehra, its gold morpankh motifs catching the sun as thousands watched the ceremony unfold.
The turban, featuring ornate gold embroidery with subtle green touches and layered detailing at the back, reflects a design language rooted in Western India. Modi paired the headgear with a dark navy-and-white kurta-pyjama and a light blue Nehru jacket, keeping the look formal while underscoring cultural symbolism. The bandhej (tie-and-dye) pattern is linked to Rajasthan and Gujarat, a nod to India's textile traditions that the day tends to celebrate.
Spectators lined the boulevard as the ceremony wove tradition into national messaging, with the turban serving as a visual anchor for the day’s themes. The same maroon turban appeared earlier in the morning when Modi visited the National War Memorial to lay a wreath, reinforcing the cycle of homage and national pride that defines Republic Day.
Officials described the ceremony as a blend of heritage and modern military display, with references to Operation Sindoor shaping the day's visuals. The look showcased India's textile craftsmanship at the center of public life, while the nation celebrated 77 years of the Constitution and its promises of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
