Phool Walon Ki Sair: Florists of the City Unite

Delhi is an immortal city. Our city of Djinns has so many enduring traditions intricately woven with its rich history, its diverse culture, and its importance as a modern state capital. A celebration that embodies this contention is the annual Phool Walon Ki Sair – the beautiful procession of flower vendors. It’s an enchanting sight to see the city’s florists march through the historic area of Mehrauli, with gigantic fans decorated in blooms of every hue, after seeking blessings from a Sufi shrine and a Hindu temple. The sellers pray for a good harvest of flowers, and a prosperous season ahead. This event takes place just as the monsoon is retreating and just before the onset of winter. In 2016 the Phool Waalon Ki Sair will be held from 25^th October to 3^rd November. 

The annual Phool Walon Ki Sair is a celebration of flowers in Delhi. Photo Credit: rajkumar1220 / Flickr

 

The practice itself dates back to the 18^th century, and was revived by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the 60s. The secular procession visits the shrine of a 13th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki and the temple of Devi Jog Maya.  A formal ceremony at the Jahaz Mahal, a 16^th century structure, concludes the day’s events.

History of Celebrations

In previous centuries, the ritual was called the Sair-e-Gul Faroshan. The Mughal emperor used to be its patron. Legend has it that Mirza Jahangir, the reckless teenaged son of Akbar Shah II, had offended a British resident at the Red Fort by firing at him and killing an accompanying orderly. As punishment, the potential heir to the Mughal throne was banished to confinement in Allahabad. His distraught mother vowed to offer a chadar (sheet) of flowers at the said Sufi shrine when her son was released. Miraculously, her wish was granted and the promise kept. It is said the imperial court of Delhi travelled with her to Mehrauli and seven days of merriment ensued. Since the Mughal emperor was secular, he had an ornamented fan offered to the Yogmaya temple as well.

The procession sees huge fans decorated with flowers. Photo Credit: Nvvchar / Wikimedia

 

Since this move evoked an enthusiastic response from the masses, it was instated as a yearly practice. This festival of flowers was celebrated with much zeal during the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar. Sadly, it was a victim to the British ‘Divide and Rule’ policy in 1942, during Gandhi’s ‘Quit India’ stance.

The Revival

In 1962, Nehru re-started the practice recognising the message of communal harmony it sent out. The Lt. Governor of the time, Nooruddin Ahmed and mayor Yogeshwar Dayal assisted him in doing this. Since then, all successive Prime Ministers have been patrons of the event. Apart from offerings to the divine, fans are gifted to the President of India, the Chief Minister and Lt. Governor of Delhi. Currently, this initiative of mobilising participants is taken by a registered organisation called the Anjuman-e-Gul Faroshan.

If you live in Delhi, this is a good tradition to take part in. Even if you’re visiting the city, the outing would definitely help you understand the city’s living legacy and some of its beautifully restored monuments. Book your flight and hotel in Delhi on MakeMyTrip.com and get set for this colourful journey. Don’t forget to carry your camera!