President Ram Nath Kovind, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday on his first state visit, took the salute at the guard of honour given to him at the airport amid pouring rain, and preferred to stand without any umbrella.
The President, who is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces, arrived around 9.30am.
Kovind was received by Kerala governor P Sathasivam and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan besides others.
As it was raining heavily, the security officials were seen providing a cover to the President, who, however, refused and stood on the dais to take the salute.
He then inspected the guard of honour with all other dignitaries present watching him from under the cover of a shamiana.
The President later left by helicopter to inaugurate charity programmes as part of the 64th birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi at Kollam, about 85km from the state capital.
He was scheduled to return to New Delhi on Sunday afternoon.
