“Phool Walon Ki Sair” fest cancelled for the first time in decades

The cancellation of “Phool Waalon ki Sair”, a decades-old festival reflective of Delhi’s syncretic culture, on Thursday sparked political reactions with the Congress slamming the BJP. Terming the move a "direct assault” on the Capital’s shared cultural identity and communal harmony, Delhi Congress spokesperson Naresh Kumar said the decision reflected the government’s 'disregard for Delhi’s composite heritage'. He accused the ruling party of attempting to erode the city’s Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, the spirit of coexistence that has defined Delhi for centuries.

The festival, which goes back centuries, was revived by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru around 1961 and has since been celebrated.

Kumar said the cancellation was not just an administrative decision, but it was a cultural betrayal. “‘Phool Walon Ki Sair’ is not merely an annual fair, it is the soul of Delhi’s heritage and a living symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity,” he said.

Kumar demanded that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta clarify the reasons for the cancellation and ensure that the festival is reinstated without delay. He alleged that the government was using a land dispute between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Forest Department as a pretext, while the real cause was 'negligence, narrow-mindedness and disregard for Delhi’s cultural traditions.'

“Phool Walon Ki Sair” – the procession of flower sellers - is one of Delhi’s oldest and most cherished festivals, celebrated annually in Mehrauli. The event is marked by processions, music and floral offerings made both at the dargah of Sufi saint Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki and the nearby Yogmaya Temple, symbolising the unity of faiths and the city’s inclusive spirit.

The origins of the festival date back to 1812 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II. When his son Prince Mirza Jahangir was exiled to Allahabad after firing a shot at the British Resident, his mother, Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, vowed to offer a ‘chaadar’ (sheet) of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki if her son was released. After his return, she fulfilled the vow, accompanied by the royal court and the people of Delhi.

For seven days, celebrations took place in Mehrauli, with floral offerings made both at the dargah and the temple on the emperor’s orders. The overwhelming public response led to the festival being held annually, symbolising the harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

The event flourished under Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor, who continued the tradition even during the 1857 siege of Delhi. The British discontinued it in 1942 during the Quit India Movement but it was revived around 1961 by then PM Jawaharlal Nehru, who viewed it as an emblem of India’s secular and pluralistic heritage. Since its revival, “Phool Walon Ki Sair” has been organised every year by the Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, drawing participants and visitors from across communities and walks of life. This year marks the first time in more than 60 years that the festival will not take place.