Delhi the capital of India is habitat for people belonging to different communities and religions hailing from all parts of the nation. With such vast variation in population festivals in Delhi also are many that are celebrated by one and all irrespective of the occasion. Each festival has its significance attached to a particular religion or community showcasing their culture and religious beliefs.

Some of the festivals celebrated by people of Delhi are Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, with relevance to the Hindu community, Eid, Bakrid for the Muslims and Christmas, Easter and New Year Day by the Christian population. Independence Day, Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanthi are some of the most important national days celebrated by the populace of Delhi.

Dusshera is celebrated to commemorate the occasion of Lord Ram’s triumph over Ravan, during the month of October every year. This is a 10 days long festival and ends by the burning the effigy of King Ravan of Lanka to mark the destruction of the evil. Diwali is the festival of lights and signifies the return of Ram to his kingdom from his long exile. On this day thousands of oil lit lamps and candles adorn the houses and streets of Delhi and people celebrate with great display of fireworks and exchange sweets with neighbors.

Holi is a much awaited festival in Delhi and people have great fun in playing holi with gulal or powder of various colors. Lohri, a festival of the Punjabi Community and it marks the end of the cold winter. Bonfires are lit and dancing and feasting takes place through out the night. Similar to this people belonging to Hindu Community celebrate Makar Sankarati the next day, and kite flying competitions are held on this occasion. Basant Panchami is celebrated in January or February to welcome the spring season. Rashtrapati Bhawan, the presidential residence and the adjoining Mughal Gardens in their full glory are opened for public viewing at this time of the season. Thyagaraja Festival showcasing south Indian classical music and dances are held every year at Vaikunthnath Temple in the month of February.

Maha Shivratri is another festival of the Hindus and people observe a day of fast and perform puja to appease Lord Shiva. This occasion is observed on a no-moon night in the month of March. Baisaki Festival is observed in the month of April to mark the beginning of the harvesting season. Buddha Jayanthi, the birthday of Lord Budha, is celebrated on a full moon nigh usually in the month of May. People belonging to Jain community celebrate Mahvir Jayanthi also in the month of May to honor Lord Mahavira on his birthday.

Other festivals of significance are Mango festival, where hundreds of varieties of the fruit are on display for the visitors and the procession of Flower Sellers or Phoolwalon Ki Sair at Mehrauli organized in the month of October, where one can see a dazzling variety of flower decorations showcased.

Id-Ul-Fitr is the most significant religious festival of the Muslims. A month long Ramzan fasting is ended on this day and people offer prayer on various masjids and exchange vows of brotherhood to each other. Important Christian festivals are the Christmas and the New Year Day and these occasions are celebrated with lots of energy by people belonging to all communities.

Festivals in Delhi are many and various that reflect the culture of people coming from different parts of the country. But people of Delhi irrespective of cast or creed are unanimous in celebrating all of them.