Delhi becomes a different place during the festival season. Fun and frolic form an
integral part during the celebrations. Delhi acts as a focal point for all major events in the country.
The people of Delhi pay rich tribute to the country’s heroes by celebrating
Independence Day on 15th August and Republic Day on 26th January every year with lots of gusto and patriotism. Flag hoisting,
cultural programmes at Rajpath and Red Road during Independence Day and Republic Day are major attractions. Delhi is worth a visit during these times of the year. The vibrant culture of the city becomes alive through dance, music and colorful dresses worn by the people.
January
Lohri:- Traditionally, Lohri marks the end of winter. This festival is
celebrated with bonfires accompanied by dance and music.
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Kite-Flying Festival:- Kite-Flying is an interesting festival held on Makar Sankranti day. People from all age groups gather to fly kites of various shapes and sizes. In Delhi, people gather on the green lawns above Palika Bazaar and Connaught Place to participate in this festival.
February
Basant Panchami:- Hindu festival of Basant Panchami marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter. This is the season when the prestigious Mughal gardens behind Rashtrapati Bhavan are opened to public for a month.
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Thyagaraja Festival:- Thyagaraja festival is an enthusiastic display of south Indian music and dance, opposite Jawaharlal Nehru University in Vaikunthnath temple.
March
Maha Shivratri:- Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 'Amavasya' night of 'Phalguna'. It is said that Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance on this night. His dance is known as the ‘Randavan Nirtya’. Lord Shiva is worshipped at temples with all night vigils and prayers mostly by unmarried women who keep day-long fasts so that Shiva may grant them good husbands.
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Holi:- Holi or Holikastava is a very colorful festival and usually celebrated in early March with the onset of spring. People enjoy this festival by throwing colors and water on each other. Kids especially love playing holi. A special drink called thandai or bhang is prepared on this day.
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April
Amir Khusrau's Anniversary:- The anniversary of Amir Khusrau, a great Persian poet, is celebrated in the month of April.. A fair in Nizamuddin and prayers and 'qawwali' singing marks the celebrations of Amir Khusrau’s anniversary. The event also sees the National Drama Festival, staged mostly at the Rabindra Bhawan.
Baisakhi:- Hindu New Year is celebrated by the people on Baisakhi which falls in mid-April. It also heralds the onset of summer and the beginning of the harvest season. In north India, this festival iscelebrated with music and dance.
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Mahavir Jayanti:- Though Jains form a small community in Delhi, Mahavir Jayanti which marks the birth of Lord Mahavira is celebrated with prayers and processions.
May
Buddha Purnima:- Buddha Jayanti marks the birth of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated on the first full moon night in May. It also commemorates the Enlightenment and Nirvana of Lord Buddha. Prayer meetings are held at Buddha Vihar, Ring Road and Buddha Vihar, Mandir Marg.
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July
International Mango Festival:- It is probably only in Delhi that such a unique festival as the International Mango festival is organized here. Over five hundred types of mango are on display at the Talkatora Stadium. Visitors can sample free mangoes while enjoyingcultural programmes.
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September-October
Dusherra:- This is the most popular festival celebrated all across India in end September or early October. It marks the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana or the victory of good over evil. In Delhi, Ramlila is organized in the Ramlila Maidan where effigies of Ravana are burnt and various incidents of Ram’s life are enacted.
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Diwali:- Diwali or the Festival of Light is usually celebrated in the month of October. During Diwali people worship Lakshmi or the Goddess of Wealth. People decorate their homes with candles and diyas to keep the evil spirit away.
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Phoolwalon-ki-Sair:- Phoolwalon-ki-Sair or the Flower Sellers Procession started in the 16th century in Delhi. Duringthis festival which is specific to Mehrauli in Delhi, people carry 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:- Qutub festival is organized by
Delhi Tourism in October. Musicians and dancers from all over the country perform at the famous Qutub Minar in Delhi. This festival gives
tourists a glimpse of the cultural grandeur of India.
November
Guru Purab:- Guru Purab is the celebration of the birth of first of the ten Sikh gurus, Guru Nanak.'Granthees' recite verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs and Nagar Kirtans' are taken out on the streets and in the Gurdwaras.
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December
Christmas:- Christmas which marks the birth of
Lord Jesus is celebrated across churches in Delhi. People from all communities join in the celebrations. Gifts are exchanged on this day and people organizeChristmas parties to mark the occasion.
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New Year's Eve:- Delhi becomes a favourite destination among both national and international tourists on the 31st of December. Most
hotels and restaurants are decorated to usher in the New Year with pomp and festive spirit.
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