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.
