Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair, also known as Sair-e-Gulfaroshan, means “Procession of the Florists.” This is an annual 3-day celebration organized by flower sellers of Delhi. The celebration happens in Mehrauli in South Delhi.

Time of Sair

Sair-e-Gulfaroshan is usually celebrated in September-October. Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair 2015 will begin on October 25 and end on November 3.

Significance

Sair-e-Gulfaroshan is a celebration that started some 100 years ago. In the 19th century, the British elected Bahadurshah Zafar as the Mughal Emperor. This annoyed Mirza Jahangir, the half-brother of Bahadurshah. In his anger he took a pot shot at the British Resident, who then exiled Mirza to Allahabad.

Mirza’s mother vowed that she would walk from Nizamuddin Auliya’s tomb to Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki’s tomb barefoot, if her son returns. Her prayers were answered and she went on the vowed pilgrimage. This pilgrimage or walk or sair continues even today in the form of Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair or Sair-e-Gulfaroshan.

This 3-day festival of flowers commences with the procession of flower sellers, fire dancers, musicians, and local people from Chandni Chowk to Mehrauli, to the dargah of Kaki and to Devi Yogmaya Mandir. The walk or sair is of 32 kilometers. Flower “Chaadars” and “pankhas” made of huge palm leaves are laid on the dargah. During the procession, fire dancers perform on the streets to add a mystical element to the walk. The celebration ends with qawwalis, kathak dance, and devotional music.

Facts

Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair is an important festival wherein Hindus and Muslims come together to celebrate and indulge in merriment. The Sair or walk showcases Delhi’s “other side,” which is of harmony, happiness, and rich heritage. Delhi city is not just about traffic jams, pollution, and chaos.

The walk witnesses a huge audience. Visitors can either be an audience to the heritage walk or participate in the walk.

How to Reach

Visitors can reach Chandni Chowk, where the Phoolwalon-Ki-Sair commences, by metro train, cabs, buses, or autorickshaws. The nearest metro station is Chandni Chowk metro station.

To reach Devi Yogmaya Temple, visitors must get down at Andheria More bus stand, which lies about 700 meters to the south of this temple. The nearest metro station is Chhatarpur metro station, which is around 900 meters to the south of temple. Visitors can also avail themselves cabs and autorickshaws to reach Mehrauli.