Delhi's festival calendar begins with the Republic Day parade on 26^th January. It is the most colorful of the city's festival events and also the biggest crowd-puller. Hundreds of thousands of people line the route from Rajpath to the Red Fort to watch the pageant of soldiers, camel corps, armored regiments, brass bands, folk dancers, school children, war veterans and elaborate floats representing the cultural diversity in India. The two-hour long parade is usually rounded off with a much-awaited spectacular fly past 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 much lighter vein, winter also witness the Vintage Car Rally when the "grand old ladies", spruced up from 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 Garden Festival. The latter is a visual feast, for Delhi is ablaze with flowers in the month of February. Delhi Tourism also organizes cultural performances during the Garden Festival.

Holi, the festival of colours, makes the onset of spring. In August, the festival of Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Ballets in the Kathak dance style depict the life of Lord Krishna.

In early October, a festival specific to Mehrauli, in Delhi, takes place. This is the Phulwalon-Ka-Sair or the Flower sellers' procession, which originated in the 16^th century. The highlight is a procession of people carrying decorated floral fans, which are blessed at the shrine of the 13^th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Qubuddin Bakhtyar Kaki and at the Hindu temple of Jogmaya, both in Mehrauli. The procession ends with a formal ceremony at the jahaz Mahal, a 16^th century pleasure resort by the side of a lake.

Also in October is Dussehra commemorating the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king, Ravana. A month-long Ram Lila dance festival is organized by the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, while on Dussehra evening itself, gigantic effigies of Ravana are set afire. The biggest venue for this event is the Ram Lila ground, off Asaf Ali Road.

Delhi Tourism organizes the popular Qutab Festival in October. Musicians and dancers perform at night by the city's 12^th century landmark, the Qutab Minar.

Diwali, the festival of lights is preceded by several Diwali Melas, where food, handicrafts and a variety of earthen 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. Interestingly, people of other communities join the celebrations, a classic example being Durga Puja, during which the elaborate pendals are visited by non-Bengalis too.

Top