SPECIAL
EVENTS IN DELHI
Whatever the time, season weather of
year, Delhi is a city full of life. It is a city bustling with activity and its social
calender is filled with a variety of events. In Delhi the season begins with the festival
of LORI in January. LORI marks the height of winter and is celebrated with the burning of
bonfires with a lot of singing and dancing adding to the mood. On January 26th
THE REPUBLIC PARADE takes place to mark the formation of the Indian Republic. This
impressive parade starts from the presidents palace and passes through Rajghat to India
Gate and then to the historic Red Fort. It also mirrors the cultural, industrial, defence
and agricultural progress made by the country. The infantry is followed by the armour and
then they are followed by the folk dancers and the school children.
The beating of the retreat is held at
Vijay Chowk two days after the republic day parade.
In February
ID-UL-ZUHA is celebrated to
commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. Prayers are held at the Jama Masjid.
The festival of
HOLI is celebrated in
March to signify the triumph of good over evil and the whole city wears a festive look and
both men and women throw colour on each other. In march we also see the festival of
MUHARRAM to celebrate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
August 15th marks India’s breaking away from the British Rule. The Prime
Minister takes the salute from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
JANAMASHTAMI is also celebrated in
August and it marks the birth of Krishna.
There is also the festival of
PHOOLWALON KI SAIR which is typical of Delhi. It marks the festival when the flower
venders carry fans made from flowers to the tomb of the Muslim saint HAZRAT BAKHTIYAR KAKI
and a Hindu Temple at Mehrauli. The fans are offered to the Gods For a better flowering
season.
DUSSEHRA is also celebrated in October
to mark the death of Ravana. Dussehra is celebrated on a grand scale in Delhi with a huge
effigy of Ravana and his fellow conspirators also being burnt at the stake.
DIWALI known as the festival of light
is celebrated in October-November to honour Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good
fortune. The whole city is lit up by small candle lamps, candles or lights of various
kinds.
The URS OF HAZRAT NIZAMUDDIN AULIA, a Muslim saint of the 14th century, is
celebrated in November or December at his tomb at Nizamuddin. This is celebrated with a
lot of pomp along with the accompaniment of quawalis and a wide array of sweet meat and
kebabs.
Christmas like elsewhere in the world
is celebrated in Delhi with a lot of gaiety and festivity. Special services are held at
the churches.
Quiet apart from religious events that
take up the Delhi calendar, there are also other regular events that are hosted in Delhi
like the International Trade Fair that is held annually at the Pragati Maidan. The Pragati
Maidan also hosts a variety of events at regular intervals. This is also one of the
largest Trade Fair Complexes in Asia.
Delhi is also ideal for growing flowers
and in February you can attend the Delhi Flower Show held in the lawns of the Purana
Quila. In the month of January there is also a Rose Show to display a variety of Roses
many of which are indigenous to Delhi. Then in the month of December there is also the
Chrysanthemum Show.
In winter Delhi plays host to a number
of events like the DELHI HORSE SHOW that is held in November or in December outside the
walls of the Red Fort. The vintage car rally is also held in the same period and this is a
show one should not miss. It displays a good number of cars left from the period of the
British Raj.
Then there is also the
SURAJKUND CRAFTS
MELA where the villagers from the adjoining villages bring out their handicrafts and also
to display their skills. A variety of rural entertainment’s add colour to the
impressive fair.
