New Delhi has many events and festivals held throughout the entire year, many of which are unlike anything visitors have experienced before.

            The first major festival held every year is Pongal, which lasts four days from January 13th to the 16th.  This, unlike many other Indian festivals never changes its date, because it is based on the solar calendar (western calendar).   Pongal is celebrated more extensively in smaller villages, with cities like New Delhi mainly focusing on the second day.

            A unique festival for the Hindu culture is the Maha Shivaratri , which is the celebration of Shiva - the Destroyer.  This event does change its date on the Western calendar every year, as it is held on the 14th day of the dark half of Margasirsa.

            India’s Independence Day is on August 15th, and celebrates Britain’s withdrawal from the country, and the separation of India from Pakistan.

            An event unique to New Delhi is the Annual Mango Festival, where growers from all over the country gather to showcase their personal growing accomplishments. 

            In July of 2006, the Osian's Cine Asian Film Festival will be held in New Delhi at Siri Fort Auditorium.   

            Two good places to find out about events in India are the National Events Calendar , and the New Delhi Events Calendar.

           A very important day , also for the Indians, is the Replubic Day 26th of January. This is the day in 1950 where India become a Republic and the  day is celebrated with a huge parade through the city. First part of the parade is a military parade. It is a fantastic view to see all the regiments in their different uniforms, very colourful not all green as we know it. Last part of the parade is a "showcase" for the states of India showing what they are known for. But be there in good time it can take hours to pass through the police checkpoints (you can get special tickets at the Tourist Office as a foreigner).

      Another day not to forget is the Holi, that although it has religous roots, it nowadays mainly are a day (or days) of joy and pleasure. The day(s) is celebrated in the midlle of March; when, it is sometimes very difficult to find out. It has something to do with the full moon, and the day of celebrating can vary from state to state. One of the big amusements of this day is to throw coloured powder at people, sometimes mixed with water. Never put on your finest clothes that day, if you are going out.