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Delhi,
being a metropolitan city, is a melting pot of cultures, and traditions
and festivals of the country. Infact, all the major festivals are
celebrated over here by different communities. The main attractions are
the national festivals of Republic Day, Beating the Retreat and
Independence Day, when the whole country proudly celebrates the
significance of being an independent Nation. The International Mango
Festival is dedicated to the favourite Indian fruit, the Mango. Qutub
festival is held at the Qutub Complex, presenting a glimpse inside the
rich Indian cultural heritage. During the rule of Mughal ruler Bahadur
Shah Zafar, flower sellers of Mehrauli honoured the emperor with fans that
were adorned with flowers. Also called the Punkha festival it is a
colourful and sweet-smelling celebration.
India's annual religious celebrations are a large part of
Delhi's multicultural social life, and it's well worth trying to take some
time out to enjoy the city's whirl of rowdy activity, traditional dances
and vibrant costumes. In addition, several secular festivals are specific
to the capital, when performers gather for music, dance and drama events.
Lohri (13th January) :
In this festival, the climax of winter is celebrated with bonfires and
singing. Traditionally, Lohri marks the end of winter.
Kite-Flying Festival (January) :
Held on Makar Sankranti day on the green lawns above Palika Bazaar,
Connaught Place , this
colourful extravaganza attracts national as well as international
participants.
Basant Panchami (2nd February) :
The biting winter winds continuing till the end of January-early
February, when the Hindu festival of Basant Panchami welcomes the spring.
This is the season when the prestigious
Mughal gardens behind
Rashtrapati Bhavan are opened to public for a month.
Thyagaraja Festival (February) :
An enthusiastic display of south Indian music and dance, opposite
Jawaharlal Nehru University in Vaikunthnath temple.
Maha Shivratri (March) :
Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 'Amavasya' night of 'Phalguna'. It is
said Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandava Nritya', which means cosmic dance on
this dark night. He is worshipped at temples with all night vigils and
prayers and unmarried women keep day-long fasts so that Shiva may grant
them good husbands.
Amir Khusrau's Anniversary (April) :
Amir Khusrau's Anniversary is celebrated in April, with a fair in
Nizamuddin and prayers and 'qawwali' singing. The event also sees the
National Drama Festival, staged mostly at the Rabindra Bhawan.
Baisakhi (13th April):
In north India, the Hindu New Year is celebrated on Baisakhi in mid-April
just as the sun begins to get fierce and the dusty winds herald summer. It
is also known as the beginning of the harvest season.
Buddha Jayanti (May) :
The first full moon night in May marks the birth of the Lord Buddha.
Prayer meetings are held at Buddha Vihar, Ring Road and Buddha Vihar,
Mandir Marg. Buddha Purnima is the month of 'Vaisakha', commemorates not
just Lord Buddha's birth, but also his 'Enlightenment' and gaining
'Nirvana'.
Mahavir Jayanti (May)
The birth of Lord Mahavira, who founded Jainism, is celebrated around
this time of the year with prayers and processions.
International Mango Festival (July)
A peculiar event, with over five hundred types of mango on show, usually
in Talkatora Stadium. Tourists can enjoy free tastings and a cultural
programme to sample.
Phoolkwalon-ki-Sair (October)
In early October, a festival specific to Mehrauli, in Delhi, takes place.
This is the Phulwalon-ki-Sair or the Flower Sellers Procession, which
originated in the 16th century.
The highlight is a procession of people carrying decorated floral fans,
which are blessed at the shrine of the 13th century Sufi saint, Khwaja
Utb-ud-din Bakhtyar Kaki and at the Hindu temple of Jogmaya, both in
Mehrauli. The procession ends with a formal ceremony at the Jahaz Mahal, a
16th century pleasure resort by the side of a lake.
Qutub Festival (October)
Delhi Tourism organises the popular Qutub Festival in October. Musicians
and dancers perform at night by the city's 12th century landmark, the
Qutub Minar . This
festival gives tourists a glimpse of the cultural grandeur of India.
Guru Purab (November - December)
Guru Purab is the celebration of the birth of first of the ten Sikh
gurus, Guru Nanak. 'Nagar Kirtans' are taken out through the streets and
in the Gurdwaras, 'Granthees' recite verses from the Guru Granth Sahib,
the holy book of Sikhs.
Christmas (25th December)
On 25th of December the capital witnesses special Christian Eve
entertainment's at its all-major hotels and restaurants and the midnight
mass and services at all churches.
New Year's Eve (31st December)
The culmination of the Indian festive spirit is celebrated on the 31st of
December, with most hotels and restaurants offering special food and
entertainment.