PHOTOS: INS Viraat sails into history

The majestic INS Viraat, the world's oldest serving aircraft carrier, sailed into pages of history on Monday with the final lowering of the Naval Ensign and Commissioning Pendant in a solemn ceremony at sundown. The formal decommissioning function was presided over by Indian Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, First Sea Lord and Royal Navy Chief, Admiral Sir Philip Andrew Jones, and the carrier's Commissioning and Commanding Officer Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha. Another over 1,300 guests, including past and present officers from the Indian Navy and Royal Navy, attended the event, marking the culmination of several pre-decommissioning functions during the past few days. Monday's elaborate but solemn ceremonies included the release of a Special Cover by Army Postal Service and a book on the history of INS Viraat, which was known as HMS Hermes during her tenure with the Royal Navy.