India’s multi cultural diversity can be seen in the multiple annual religious celebrations that affect Delhi society every year. This article lists the festivals that are specific to Delhi ONLY and are found nowhere else in India or the world.
Festivals of Delhi:
Here we enlisted some famous festivals of Delhi with pictures which definitely attracts you.
• Lohri – 13th Jan:
Lohri is the festival that marks the end of winter. The climax of this season is celebrated by Lohri, which involves bonfires, dancing and singing.
• Kite Flying Festival – Jan:
This festival is held on the same day as Makar Sankranti. It is celebrated above Palika Bazaar, on the green lawns, and even in Connaught Place. This festival attracts an international audience.
See More: Famous Festival Of Andhra Pradesh
• Basant Panchami- 2nd Feb:
This is a Hindu festival that welcomes and celebrates spring after the harsh chill and biting winds of winter in the months of Jan and Feb. This is the only time that the Mughal gardens behind Rashtrapati Bhavan allow public visitors for a month.
• Thyagaraja Festival – Feb:
This festival involves displays of south Indian music and dance. It is celebrated opposite Jawaharlal Nehru University which is in Vaikunthnath temple.
See More: Pondicherry Festival
• Maha Shivratri- March:
This festival is used to celebrate the “Tandava Nritya” of Lord Shiva. It is held in the month os Phalguna, on the night of Amavasya. The ‘Tandava Nritya’ is the cosmic dance of Shiva that is celebrated throughout the night through prayers and fasts kept by women.
• Amir Khusrau’s Anniversary –April:
This festival or anniversary is celebrated through a fair that is held in Nizamuddin which is accompanied by qawwali music and Sufi music. The National Drama Festival is also held at Rabindra Bhawan at this time.
See More: Lakshadweep Festivals
• Baisakhi -13th April:
This festival marks the Hindu New Year. It is the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated at the peak of summer.
• Buddha Jayanti –May:
This festival marks the birth of Lord Buddha. It is celebrated on the first full moon night of May. There are prayer meetings held in various places like Buddha Vihar, Ring Road, and Mandir Marg. This festival not only celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha, but also the achievement of his enlightenment and nirvana.
See More: Famous Mehndi Artists In Delhi
• Mahavir Jayanti –May:
This festival marks the birth of Lord Mahavira. There are prayer meetings held in various places and it is a Jaina festival.
• International Mango Festival –July:
This festival involves the display of more than five hundred different varieties of native mangoes. They are displayed in Talkatora Stadium. This attracts international and national tourists who are allowed to taste the mangoes and watch the programme.
• Phoolkwalon-ki-Sair –October:
This festival is similar to Mehrauli. This is a Flower Sellers Procession that was started in the 16th century. It is held in early October. People carry decorated floral fans in the procession that had been blessed at the shrine of Khwaja Utb-ud-din Bakhtyar Kaki, a Sufi saint of the 13th century and the Jogmaya hindu temple in Mehrauli. The procession ends at the Jahaz Mahal, with a formal ceremony.
• Qutub Festival –October:
This festival is the celebration of the Qutub Minar, marked by dancing and singing on the grounds of this 12th century historical monument. It is organized by Delhi Tourism every year for tourists.
• Guru Purab -November to December:
This festival celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the first of the total ten gurus that Sikhs have. It is celebrated in Gurudwaras from where Nagar Kirtans are taken to the streets. Granthees read out passages from the holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.
It is recommended to spend some time exploring these festivals as they will put you in touch with the delhi spirit. With a host of traditional ceremonies, dances, costumes and merrymaking, you are bound to enjoy every festival delhi throws your way.
Images Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
