Phoolwalon
ki Sair festival, literally meaning Procession of Flower Sellers, takes
place in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. An annual event, it mainly consists
of a procession taken out by flower sellers down the flower-seller's
promenade. Phoolwalon-ki-Sair at Delhi opens with the recital of the
shehnai (an Indian musical instrument). Thereafter, the procession
starts by offering flowers first at the temple of Jog Maya and goes
through the Mehrauli Bazaar. It then moves to the tomb of Saint
Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, a Sufi saint, to present curtains made of
flowers there.At these shrines, the flower sellers pray for a good harvest of flowers the next year. In the procession, flower pankas (hand fans) are also taken through the streets. Also known as Sair-e-Gulafroshan, Phul Walon ki Sair of Delhi is one of the few festivals that are celebrated by both the Hindus as well as the Muslims in India. The festival was started during Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's rule and from then onwards, is celebrated every year. The procession comes to an end with a ceremony at the Jahaaz Mahal. The major attractions of the Phoolwalon ki Sair festival consist of Kathak dances, qawwalis, acrobats, fire dancers, etc.
