The Vice-President & Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar hoisted the national flag at the Gaja Dwar of the New Parliament Building on 17th September 2023.
- The New Parliament Building, red sandstone sculptures of auspicious animals have been installed as ‘guardian statues’ on all the six entrances based on their importance in Indian culture.
- Gaja: The sculpture of an elephant or Gaja has been installed to guard the entrance to the north, since the animal represents wisdom and wealth, intellect, and memory, and also embodies the aspirations of the elected representatives of the democracy.
- Asva: Asva or the horse standing alert and ready at the southern entrance is symbolic of endurance and strength, power, and speed, also describing the quality of governance.
- Garuda: The eagle-like Garuda stands at the eastern ceremonial entrance, signifying the aspirations of the people and the administrators of the country.
- Makara: A mythological aquatic creature, the Makara combines the bodily parts of different animals, representing, unity in diversity among the people of the country.
- Shardula: Shardula is said to be the most powerful, foremost of all living beings, symbolising the power of the people of the country.
- Hamsa: Symbolic vehicle of knowledge.
