Phool Walon ki Sair 2024 - March

Phool Walon ki Sair, also known as the Floral Festival, is one of the most important festivals of Delhi. It is the Festival of Florists. Although celebrated across Delhi, it is majorly followed in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. The festival involves huge processions mainly sprinkling flowers at the temple of Jog Maya and the tomb of Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. Phool Walon ki Sair is a vibrant festival celebrated in Delhi, India, usually in October. It’s a colorful event that honors the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.

The festival features a procession with flower-bedecked elephants, horses, and traditional music. People offer floral tributes at the dargah (shrine) of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and at the Jama Masjid. It’s known for its lively and inclusive atmosphere, bringing together people of different faiths and communities.



The Festival of Phoolwalon ki Sair is generally celebrated in the month of September and October. The Festivities mainly involve a procession that starts from the Jog Maya Temple. Traditional music played on Shehnai starts the procession. Starting from the Jog Maya temple, traveling across Mehrauli Bazaar, the procession finally ends at the tomb of Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.

Phool Walon ki Sair holds significant historical and cultural importance for several reasons:

1. Historical Legacy: The festival celebrates the harmony and mutual respect between different communities. It commemorates the legacy of Emperor Akbar, who was known for his policy of religious tolerance and respect for various faiths.

2. Religious Harmony: The event honors both the Mughal emperor and the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. By offering floral tributes at both the dargah and the Jama Masjid, it symbolizes the unity of different religious communities.

3. Cultural Heritage: The procession, with its vibrant display of flowers, music, and traditional attire, reflects the rich cultural heritage of Delhi. It also showcases traditional art forms and crafts, contributing to the preservation of local culture.

4. Community Celebration: The festival serves as a platform for community bonding, bringing together people from various backgrounds to celebrate in a spirit of togetherness and mutual respect.

Overall, Phool Walon ki Sair is a testament to the cultural and religious diversity of Delhi and a celebration of its historical legacy.

Throughout the procession there is realm of Dance and Music that thoroughly accompanies. Kathak Dances, qawwalis, a blaze of lights, huge pankhas (fans) made of palm leaves  decorated with tinsel and flowers, and acrobats delight a vast audience. A huge procession, led by fire dancers, takes the flower pankhas through the streets of Mehrauli.

All these cultural programs are organized at the “Jahaz Mahal” , which truly comes alive with the Dance and Music during this Festival.

The legends regarding this festival says that Akbar Shah-II s queen had vowed to offer a Chadar and flower Pankha at the Dargah of Hazrat Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and at theYogmaya Mandir for safe return of her son Mirza Jehangir, who was exiled to Allahabad by the British residents. Not only did the wish come true, but the incident initiated this unique festival of floral offerings at the Dargah and the temple every year.

The Festival over the years has gained great popularity. Earlier the Festival was largely celebrated by Hindus, which eventually has been warmly followed by Muslims as well.  The annual event celebrates the rich cultural mosaic that binds together in an intricate pattern, Hindus and Muslims in India.

Phool Walon ki Sair is celebrated with great enthusiasm and a series of vibrant events:

1. Flower Procession: The festival features a grand procession where participants, often on elephants and horses, carry large floral tributes. The procession moves through the streets, showcasing beautifully decorated vehicles and traditional music.

2. Floral Offerings: Devotees make floral offerings at two main places: the dargah (shrine) of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a revered Sufi saint, and the Jama Masjid, a significant mosque in Delhi. These offerings symbolize respect and devotion.

3. Cultural Performances: Traditional music, dance performances, and folk art are integral parts of the celebration. These performances reflect the cultural richness of Delhi and are enjoyed by both locals and visitors.

4. Community Festivities: The festival fosters a sense of community and inclusivity. People from various backgrounds come together to celebrate, reinforcing the spirit of harmony and mutual respect.

5. Decorations and Street Fairs: The streets are adorned with flowers and colorful decorations. There are also local fairs and markets set up, offering a variety of goods, food, and entertainment.

Overall, Phool Walon ki Sair is a lively and colorful celebration that highlights Delhi's cultural and religious diversity.

The festival truly attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide.

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