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CHANDIGARH CITY -
Festivals
Besides all the traditional religious observances and
national holidays, there are several festivals which are only
celebrated by chandigarhian. Some of these festivals are :
- The
Festival of Gardens
- April
Fools' Day
- Baisakhi
- The
Mango festival
- Teej
- The
Chrysanthemums Show
- The
Plaza Carnival
-
The
Chandigarh Carnival
The
Festival of Gardens
:-
It is a
three-day celebration which is organised in the last week of
February .It is for the nature lovers. Previously it was known as
"Rose Festival" . Several varieties of Roses are on display at the
Rose Garden
.
The festival
also includes performances of music and dance, both classical and
folk, events for children, exhibitions by local artists,
photographers and craftsman and a wide range of amusements
.
April Fools' Day :-
Perhaps
the only festival of its kind in India, various famous poets from
all over the country gather on April 1st in Chandigarh . On
this day Chandigarh becomes a laughter zone . A Maha Moorkh
Sammellan or Conclave of Colossal Fools is organised .
People listen to the foolish poetry of poets and share a
lighter side of the life with them.
Baisakhi :-
It
is the first day of the New Year of the traditional Punjabi
Calendar. It is also the main festival for Sikhs as on this day in
1699, the 10th Guru, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the
Khalsa Panth . It also celebrates the Wheat Harvest .
The state governments of Punjab , Haryana also organise various functions.
The Mango
festival :-
This
festival is held in the month of June. Mango growers from all over
India gather here and compete in various competitions . It
provides a great business opportunity for them. Many agricultural
universities also display the latest hybrid varieties developed by
them.
Teej :-
In
the first week of August this traditional festival is celebrated
by the women. The Rock Garden with its swings and pavilions is the
festival venue and the day is basically a grand picnic with songs
and dances, purchase of new bangles, painting the hands with
mehndi.
The Chrysanthemums Show :-
In
the month of December Chrysanthemums Show is held at
Terraces Flower Garden in the city's Sector 33.You can see a
multi-coloured wall-to-wall carpet of chrysanthemums. Hundreds of
varieties of the flower are on display and city gardeners vie for
coveted honours in the competitions.
The Plaza Carnival :-
This
is held on an open-air stage set up in Sector 17's central plaza
every Saturday evening . This
weekly programme draws a large crowd and provide an opportunity
for talented local artists to do their stuff.
The Chandigarh Carnival :-
This
carnival is celebrated in the second week of November every year
for three days. The carnival opens with a colourful procession
which everyone is encouraged to join. The carnival is a time for
students and children to show their talent and elders too
participate in a number of competitions held at same venue.
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