In addition to the Hindu New Year celebrations, the Delhi Government is making elaborate preparations for large-scale festivities to mark Ram Navami, Hanuman Janmotsav, and Ambedkar Jayanti.
NEW DELHI: The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi Government is set to launch a two-week-long celebration, beginning on March 30 with a grand event to mark the Hindu Nav Varsh (Hindu New Year) and concluding on April 14 with Ambedkar Jayanti. The entire celebration will be organised under the Delhi Government’s Art and Culture Department, under the guidance of Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. Since the Hindu New Year coincides with the first day of Navratri, a special Falahar (fruit-based meal) programme has been arranged for attendees who observe fasting during this auspicious period.
To commemorate this occasion, the Delhi Legislative Assembly will host a cultural evening on March 30 at the Delhi Legislative Assembly premises, located at Old Secretariat. This event is being organised to mark the beginning of ‘Vikram Samvat 2082,’ the traditional Hindu lunar calendar era, which starts with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. The programme will feature captivating performances by renowned singer and lyricist Kailash Kher, along with his band, Kailasa. Around 1,500 distinguished guests have been invited to partake in these grand celebrations.
Speaker Vijender Gupta highlighted the historical significance of this event, stating that this is the first time a cultural event is being organised for the Hindu New Year, not only in the Delhi Legislative Assembly but also in other state
He emphasised, “The Hindu New Year is more than just a change of date; it represents renewed energy and vitality. This festival, which coincides with the harvesting season, holds immense economic and social importance as it honours the agricultural community, the backbone of our nation. It is an occasion to celebrate our rich culture and heritage with enthusiasm, ensuring their continued preservation and fostering a sense of rejuvenation in our lives.”
Sharing his views on the event, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra stated, “For the first time, the Delhi Government is celebrating the Hindu New Year on such a grand scale. The celebrations will kick off on March 30 with a spectacular event on the lawns of the Delhi Assembly, where the entire building will be illuminated with traditional lamps, resembling a Diwali-like atmosphere.”
He further added, “This initiative is a significant step towards preserving and promoting Indian traditions and culture. Our government is committed to organising more such cultural awareness programmes in the future. We encourage all citizens of Delhi to actively participate in the historic Falahar Party and make this cultural festival a grand success.”
A senior official from the Art and Culture Department of the Delhi Government told The Sunday Guardian that the department has made extensive arrangements to celebrate Nav Samvatsar, or the Hindu New Year, with great grandeur. He further mentioned that the event, to be held under the chairmanship of Vijender Gupta, will have Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as the chief guest, while Minister of Art and Culture Kapil Mishra will be present as the distinguished guest. Several other esteemed ministers and legislators from the Delhi Government will also grace the occasion.
In addition to the Hindu New Year celebrations, the Delhi Government is making elaborate preparations for large-scale festivities to mark Ram Navami, Hanuman Janmotsav, and Ambedkar Jayanti. For the first time, the Delhi Government will also organise Falahar programmes at multiple locations during Navratri. These programmes will take place on Saptami (seventh day), Ashtami (eighth day), and Navami (ninth day), and will include Kanya Pujan ceremonies where underprivileged girls will be served food as part of the rituals. Special prayers will also be conducted to honour the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.
A BJP leader familiar with the development revealed to The Sunday Guardian that such large-scale celebrations of Hindu festivals had not been organised by previous governments in Delhi. He mentioned that the BJP-led government will host a series of events between March 30 and April 14, effectively making it a Hindu festival fortnight, which will now be celebrated annually.
He further pointed out, “The previous AAP government primarily organised Iftar parties and Islamic festival celebrations, while Hindu festivals such as Navratri and Hindu New Year were neglected.”
The leader further elaborated that the Art and Culture Department will organise a series of four to five major events dedicated to festivals such as Hanuman Jayanti, Baisakhi, and Navratri. Additionally, he mentioned that the government is making plans for a grand celebration of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, with the involvement of multiple departments, including Art and Culture, Social Welfare, and Law.