Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated in the capital with great vigour and joy on the day of the full moon in the month of 'Phalguna'. From morning till noontime people smear 'Gulal' or coloured powder often mixed with water on one another and dance to the beats of the drums.

There is a tradition in northern part of India of consuming bhang, a derivative of cannabis on the occasion of Holi. The night before Holi, bonfires are lit at street corners, symbolically burning the demon 'Holika' and celebrating the triumph of good over evil
 
 

Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on 'Amavasya', the darkest night of 'Kartika'. It is believed that on this day Lord Rama come home to his kingdom after a fourteen years exile and the city of Ayodhya lit oil lamps to welcome him.

Sweets and gifts are exchanged between families and friends amidst the bursting of crackers. Doors are left open on Diwali for Goddess Laxmi. The festival of lights is preceded by several Diwali Melas, where food, handicrafts and a variety of earthern lamps and candles are sold.
 

Id-ul-fitr is most often celebrated in the winter season. It marks the end of Ramzan, the month of fasting for Muslims. This day is also called Meethi Id (sweet id), because of a special sweet called "Sevaiyyan", a kind of vermicelli, which is cooked on this day.

 

Also in October is celebrated the 10 night's festival of Dussehra, commemorating the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana. A month-long Ram Lila dance festival is organised by the Bhartiya Kala Kendra, depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana, while on Dussehra evening itself, gigantic effigies of Ravana are set afire on the 9th night. The biggest venue for this event is the Ram Lila Ground, off Asaf Ali Road.

Navaratra literally means nine nights, commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon 'Mahishasur'. 'Vijay Dashmi Navaratras' ends with the festival of Durga Puja. On this day, Lord Rama believed to have defeated 'Ravana', his brother 'Kumbhakarna' and son 'Meghnatha'.