Date:13/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101351090200.htm

New Delhi

Of flowers and fans

Kunal Diwan

NEW DELHI: The annual three-day ‘Phool Walon Ki Sair’ festival will begin at Mehrauli here on October 25.

The festival has been celebrated in Delhi since the Mughal period. It was, however, discontinued during British rule. The festival will take off with the presentation of a chaadar at Khwaja Bakhtiar Ki Dargah by Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna. This will be followed by a function at the historic Yog Maya Ji Ka Temple where floral tributes will be paid to the deity Yogmaya. Pankhas from over 12 States will be displayed during the procession.

These pankhas have been prepared by master craftsmen and their display will be accompanied by traditional dance and music from the respective States.

The festival will culminate with a procession where these pankhas will be taken out starting from “Jharna” via Olia Masjid and be offered at both shrines. Trophies will be awarded to the best pankha and cultural troupes by the chief guest.