Historic ‘Phoolwalon Ki Sair’ Festival in Delhi Cancelled This Year Due to Permission Issues

Delhi’s iconic and centuries-old festival, ‘Phoolwalon Ki Sair’ (Sair-e-Gul Faroshan), celebrated as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity, has been cancelled this year. The annual cultural event was started nearly 200 years ago during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar Shah II and traditionally marked the communal harmony of the national capital.

Organizers have revealed that the festival, usually held at Aam Bagh in Mehrauli, was called off due to the lack of timely permission from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The DDA required clearance linked to forest department regulations, but the festival organizers faced delays and confusion as both agencies referred the responsibility to each other. This bureaucratic tussle ultimately led to the decision to postpone the festival for the first time since 1962, when it was revived after being banned by the British in 1942.

Vinod Vatsa, vice president of the Anjuman Sair-e-Gul Faroshan, which has been organizing the event since 1961, lamented the situation, stating the DDA had previously withheld permission for parts of the event last year as well. Organizers also pointed out rising pollution levels as an additional challenge to hosting large outdoor events in Delhi.

The festival features a vibrant three-day celebration involving a procession, traditional dances and music, along with the symbolic offering of floral garlands and fans at the Devi Yogmaya temple by Muslim participants and at the Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki shrine by Hindus. It is considered a living symbol of Delhi’s shared cultural heritage and religious harmony.

Political reactions have been swift. Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized the BJP government, accusing them of stifling positive cultural traditions. Bharadwaj invoked the historical parallels to the British banning the festival in 1942 to divide communities and expressed disappointment at the government’s failure to uphold this cherished celebration of unity.

If the DDA grants permission, organizers hope to reschedule the festival in March 2026.

This cancellation marks a setback for Delhi’s cultural unity and heritage, underscoring the need for greater administrative coordination and support for traditional community events.