Fairs and Festivals

A cosmopolitan in the true sense of the word, New Delhi's citizenry from different communities add color and variety to the cultural fabric of the megapolis. Travel to New Delhi during its numerous fair and festivals to spice up your holidays.

As the capital of India, New Delhi is center-stage for many national celebrations, the two most prominent ones being Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15. Preparations for these two occasions begin months in advance, especially for Republic Day, which is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry. All along the Rajpath, a grand procession marches by comprising soldiers from the three armed forces as well as the paramilitary forces, bands, schoolchildren, folk dancers, ceremonial elephants, tanks and the latest in Indian military warfare. Air Force planes flying in formation and exhibiting daredevil stunts add to the excitement. The presence of the President and the Prime Minister, foreign dignitaries and eminent personalities lend grandeur to the occasion. For those unable to be at the spot, the live telecast on television is not to be missed. Two days later is the moving ceremony Beating Retreat held at Vijay Chowk. The bands from the different armed forces and the police contingents begin to play martial tunes just as the sun begins to set-the haunting music stirs up many emotions. Independence Day is celebrated in commemoration of the day India threw off the colonial yoke. The highlights of this occasion are the Prime Minister's address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, flag hoisting in educational institutions, public sector enterprises, army cantonments, and private homes. Republic Day and Independence Day are definitely a time to take pride in being Indian.

New Delhi also boasts of festivals unique to it. Phoolwalon-ki-Sair (procession of flower-sellers) is one such celebration. In August, flower vendors from different religions gather at Mehrauli with flowers woven into beautiful sheets called pankhas or fans which are offered at the shrine of Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki, a famous Muslim saint and at a nearby temple. This is a centuries old tradition practiced in the hope of bountiful harvest of flowers in the coming season and is aimed at promoting communal harmony. The Urs of Hazrat Nizammuddin Aulia is another festival special to Delhi. His tomb in Nizammuddin is crowded with devotees from all over India and special poems composed in his honor are sung. The streets in the area are transformed into one giant fair with stalls selling special foods, religious artifacts, holy books, and clothes.

And of course, how can one forget the Durga Pujas in Chittaranjan Park or Muharram, Id-ul-Zuha and Id-Ul-Fitr in Old Delhi, the annual India International Trade Fairs in Pragati Maidan and the numerous cultural fairs & festivals in places like Delhi Haat, India International Centre and India Habitat Centre.