Mehrauli festival unfolds Delhi's History

Concluding the three-day celebration of Virasat-e-Mehrauli on a melodic and vibrant note, Mehrauli Monsoon Festival witnessed the mesmerising performance of renowned Bollywood Musician Javed Ali. From Bollywood hits to soulful Sufi songs, he enthralled audience with his singing. Delhiites not only relished the stellar performance but participated in the heritage and ecological walks, as well as the art and sculpting workshops during the day.

S P Singh, a resident of Lado Sarai, stated, "I have been actively reading and working about Mehrauli's monuments since the early 1970s. The way this area and the venues have been prepared; the cultural programmes organised gives a lot of boost to Mehrauli. Where once I could barely sit, I now wish to spend more time."

Starting early on a pleasant morning with a walk on traditional water bodies of Mehrauli led by historian Sohail Hashmi, saw a large group of people in attendance. Many opted to attend the other walks as well in order to further explore the different aspects of Mehrauli. Kids across ages, thronged to Jharna to make the best of the last day.

The evening heritage walk around Mehrauli village was led by Dr Swapna Liddle, Convener-INTACH Delhi Chapter, which brought to light the context of how Delhi's oldest city had come to be what it is today. Over the past three days, over 20,000 people have attended the festival

Inaugurated by Manish Sisodia, Dy Chief Minister, the festival saw performances by renowned artists such as Qutbi Brothers, Kashish Mittal, Rani Khanam and Group, Shaswati Mandol, and Indira and Sanket Nayek over the past three days. Local artists upheld the festivities throughout the programme.

The first of its kind festival successfully ignited a curiosity in visitors about Mehrauli and its heritage, while the residents found newer reasons to be proud and protective of the heritage that surrounds them.