Lieutenant-Governor flags off ‘Phool Walon Ki Sair’ festival

Delhi lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung on Monday flagged off the unique festival of “Phool Walon Ki Sair” at Raj Niwas.

The festival highlights the long tradition of harmony between Hindu-Muslim faiths and the composite culture of Delhi.

During the seven-day long festival, Hindus and Muslims together offer the floral chaadar and pankha at the Dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaaki’ in Mehrauli and floral pankha and chhatra (canopy) are offered at the ancient temple of Devi Yogmaya in Mehrauli.

The festival dates back to the Mughal era and was revived by the “Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan” Society in 1962.

Members of all communities and office-bearers of the Anjuman, accompanied by shehnai vadaks reached the Raj Niwas on Monday morning.

The beautiful shehnai vadan marked the auspicious beginning of the festival. The members presented a floral pankha to the L-G.

In his address, Mr Jung congratulated the Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan Society for its efforts in promoting harmony in society. He said that the festival is an example of the great composite culture of our country.

The L-G will visit the ancient Temple of Devi Yogmaya as also lay a floral chadar at the Dargah of Khawaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaaki at Mehrauli on Thursday.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said: “Festivals like Phool Walon Ki Sair are very relevant in our society as such festivals spread message of love, peace and harmony among the people. The culture of celebrating festivals of all religions with feeling of festivity and joy should be celebrated by all.”