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Fairs &
Festivals in Delhi |
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Delhi's
festival calendar begins with the Republic Day parade on 26th
January. It is the most colorful of th e
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 |
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H oli,
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
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.
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 |
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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 |
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