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Delhi's
festival calendar begins with the Republic Day parade on 26th
January. It is the most colorful of the city's festivals events and
also the biggest crowd-puller. Hundreds of thousands people line the
route from Rajpath to the Red Fort to watch the pageant of solders,
camel crops, armored regiments, brass bands, folk dancers, school
children, war veterans and elaborate floats representing the
cultural diversity of India. The two hour long parade is usually
rounded off with a much-awaited spectacular fly - passed presented
by Air Force squadrons. A special display of folk dances also takes
place at the Talkatora Stadium. Three days later the Beating of the
Retreat takes place at Vijay Chowk. Various bands of the armed
forces set the pace for marching troops against the grand backdrop
of Rashtrapati Bhawan.
In a much lighter vein, winter also witnesses the Vintage Car Rally
when the 'grand old ladies', sprucedup for the occasion, make the
long haul from Delhi to Sohna. Winter is also the time for the
popular Balloon Mela, the Surajkund Crafts Mela on the outskirts of
Delhi, and Delhi Tourism's Gardens Festivals. The latter is a visual
feast, for Delhi a blaze with flowers in the month of February Delhi
Tourism also organizes cultural performances during the Garden
Festivals.
In early October, a festival specific to Mehrauli, in Delhi, takes
place. This the Phulwalon - Ki - Sair or the Flower sellers
Procession, which originated in the 16th century. The highlight is a
prossional of people carrying decorated floral fans, which are
blessed at the shrine of the 13th -century Sufi saint, Khwaja
Qutbuddin 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.
Holi, the festivals of colors, marks the onset of spring. In August,
the festival Janamashtami, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
Ballets in the Kathak dance style depict the life of Lord Krishna.
Also in October is Dussehra, commemorating the victory of Lord Rama
over the demon king, Ravana. A month - long Ram Lila dance festival
is organized by the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, depicting seens from the
epic Ramayana, while on Dussehara evening itself, gigantic effigies
of Ravana are set a fire. The biggest venue for this event is the
Ram Lila ground, of Asaf Ali Road. Delhi Tourism organizes the
popular Qutab Festival in October. Musicians and dancers performs at
night by the city's 12th -century land mark, the Qutab Minar.
Diwali, the festivals of lights is preceded by several Diwali Melas,
where food, handicrafts and a variety of earthern lamps and candles
are sold. Large communities of Indians from different states reside
in Delhi. As a result, regional festivals are also celebrated in the
capital. |
