Being a mini India in itself, Delhi is home to almost the same fairs and festivals, which are celebrated in other parts of the country. These are celebrated with a view to commemorating religious or historical events or marking the change of seasons. The vigor and lifestyle of the people comes into full play. Every season brings with it numerous fairs and festivals. So throughout the year Delhi remains alive with cheerful celebrations. These festivals have their own share of cultural, religious and state extravaganza.

Some of the important fairs and festivals celebrated with much fanfare are:


Lohri:
Celebrated in the month of January Lohri is a winter festival which marks the marks the peak of winter and celebrated with burning bonfires, singing and dancing.


 

Republic Day:
It is celebrated on the 26th of January when India became a Republic. The constitution of Independent India came into being on 26th of January 1950. A must visit event for every tourist. A military parade on the Rajpath typifies this state celebration of India's republic hood, followed on Jan 29 by the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The parade is the most impressive pageant of Delhi. The march past includes military displays, elephant and horse pageantry, floats representing different states and union territories of India.


Garden Tourism Festival:
organized by the Delhi Tourism at the end of February the festival lasts for over three days and generates much interest amongst the gardening fraternity. Delhi is flooded with flowers at this time. It is also a useful meeting ground for gardening enthusiasts, as well as fun and frolic for people of all ages. Holi: This festival of color is celebrated in March to mark the beginning of spring, Men and women of all age sprinkle colored waters on each other. This is accompanied by singing and dancing. These colors and other mixtures can permanently stain clothing Hence it is advisable not to go out in your Sunday best.


Phoolwalon-ki-Sair:
Literally meaning the "festival of flower sellers." The festival has the potential of giving a boost to the communal harmony. Participated by both the Hindus and Muslims with the same enthusiasm, the festival is a three-day celebration simultaneously at the ancient shrine of Devi Jog Maya and at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki. Large fans decorated with flowers are taken out in a procession. On this occasion the flower sellers present flowers to shrine and dargah and pray for a better flower season next year. The secular nature of the festival has been referred to by the famous poet, Mirza Ghalib, "In this city, is a festival called the flower men's festival. Everyone in the city from the nobles to the artisans goes off to the Qutb Minar. There they stay for two or three weeks. All the shops in the city of Muslims and Hindus alike stay closed throughout this time"


Mango Festival:
The mango festival is held in Delhi during the month of July. Choose from the 1100 plus verities of delicious mangos which are grown in India. India is the largest mango-producing country in the world, providing about 60 percent of the total world production.


 

Independent Day Celebrations:
Independent Day is celebrated on August 15 to mark the country's freedom from the hands of the British. Processions and flag hoisting on the Red Fort are the highlights of the celebrations.


 

Dussehra:
It is a ten days festival, usually celebrated in the months of September/October. It is associated with the vanquishing of demon Ravana by Rama. Dussehra celebrations include performances of the Ram Lila (life of Rama). Nine days are spent in worship. The tenth day is a celebration of victory of good over evil. Huge effigies of Ravana and his son Meghnath are burned on the last day of festival. The heroic deeds of Lord Rama are enacted in songs and dance.

 

Qutub Festival of Classical Music and Dance:
The festival is held around Sharad Pournima in the month of October at the Qutb Minar complex. Evocative and hypnotic melodies as well as the refined dances are presented by various famous artistes of the country. Diwali: Diwali (Deepavali), the festival of lights and fireworks, is celebrated throughout the country during Oct-Nov to celebrate Rama and Sita's homecoming after their exile in the Ramayana. Festivities include illuminating the houses by lighting of oil lamps and firecrackers, and the exchanging sweets and gifts.