Phoolwalon Ki Sair Festival
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | October 1, 1987 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 2 |
| Quantity | 1,500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1109 Stamp Number IN 1171 Yvert et Tellier IN 924 Stanley Gibbons IN 1257 |
| Themes | Festivals |
Phoolwalon Ki Sair
Phoolwalon Ki Sair, a vibrant festival symbolizing communal harmony and national integration, began about 150 years ago as a gesture of thanksgiving for a prayer fulfilled. Flowers, traditionally used worldwide to express various emotions, hold a place of honor in this unique festival.
Historical Background
- Origins: The festival dates back to 1812, during the reign of Akbar Shah II, one of the later Mughals. It originated with Begum Mumtaz Mahal’s presentation of a ‘Chaddar’ (a ceremonial cloth) and a ‘Pankha’ (a fan) at the tomb of Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki and the Yogmaya temple.
- Continuation: Despite the tumultuous period of 1857 and the fall of the Mughals, the colorful procession continued. During the British Raj, the Deputy Commissioner and prominent citizens of Delhi maintained the tradition.
- Interruption and Revival: In 1942, the festival faced a setback during the ‘Quit India Movement’ due to the British ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. However, it was revived in 1961 by the former Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who saw it as a “symbol of our nation’s integration and communal harmony.”
Modern Celebration
- Expansion: What began as a modest revival has now become a large-scale festival organized over three days by the Anjuman Sair-e-Gul-Faroshan. Its popularity has increased significantly, with different states sending Pankhas as offerings and troupes of dancers, musicians, and singers to perform before thousands at the grounds of Jahaz Mahal.
- Offerings: The Pankha, carried jointly by different states and offered at the Dargah and the temple, is made of flowers and embroidery work, showcasing the craft of various regions.
- Significance: The festival fosters the spirit of emotional integration throughout the country, acquiring a national character akin to how various flowers collectively create a garden.
The Department of Posts is honored to issue a postage stamp on Phool Walon Ki Sair, celebrating its enduring legacy as a festival of flowers and harmony.
Information for text courtesy: Anjuman Sair-e-Gul-Faroshan.