Festivals in Delhi

Delhi being the capital city has the most diverse population and enjoys a large variety of religious celebrations with traditional music, dance and colorful costumes. Apart from the religious festivals several other colorful occassions also bring together the top perfomers from the field of music, dance, drama and art. With the break of the new year in the month of January, the festivity in Delhi starts and gathers momentum through the year.

Lohri (January) :
In this festival, the climax of winter is celebrated with bonfires and singing. Traditionally, Lohri marks the end of winter.

Makar Sakranti (January) :
A major harvest festival of India. It is one of the biggest events in the states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka and AndhraPradesh. But fights and bullock races are an important features of the celebrations. Also celebrated in the eastern region when millions of piligrims take a holy dip in the Ganges.

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.

Republic Day(January) :
The national festival in India observed through out the country to make the inauguration of the Republic of India on 26th January 1950. In Delhi, the celebrations include a magnificent parade of the armed Forces, folk dances and floats from all the different states of India

Basant Panchami (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.

Independence Day (August) :
Like 26 January, 15th August is also celebrated in the city as the Independence Day to mark the Indian independence from the British rule in the year 1947. The Prime minister of the nation addresses the nation from the Red Fort and many people gather around the Red Fort to hear the Prime Minister's address.

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