India


Delhi to celebrate ‘Delhi to celebrate ‘Dilli Ki Diwali’ at CP with Ramayana-themed drone show, Maha Aarti’ at CP with Ramayana-themed drone show, Maha Aarti

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) Seeking to replace the recent spell of protests and demonstrations in the national capital with a burst of festive cheer, the Delhi government is set to transform Connaught Place into a hub of Diwali celebrations, with a two-day cultural extravaganza featuring a spectacular drone show, religious ceremonies, music and dazzling illumination.
Titled ‘Dilli Ki Diwali’, the celebrations will be organised at Central Park in Connaught Place on November 6 and 7, from 6 pm to 10 pm. The programme will also extend beyond the central venue, with the government partnering with market associations and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to organise festivities across major markets in the city.
Delhi's Art, Culture and Languages Minister Kapil Mishra said the initiative was aimed at restoring a festive atmosphere in the capital's commercial hubs, while promoting cultural pride, positive energy and social harmony.
Explaining the choice of Connaught Place as the central venue, Mishra said recent protests and demonstrations in different parts of Delhi had affected the atmosphere in some marketplaces, prompting the government to organise a large-scale public celebration to revive their vibrancy.
"Central Park Selected to Infuse Energy and Enthusiasm into the Negative Atmosphere in the Market Due to Protests and Demonstrations," Mishra said in a post on X.
"The Delhi government is organising a grand Diwali celebration at Connaught Place. The event will take place at Central Park, Connaught Place, on the evenings of November 6th and 7th. In recent days, attempts have been made to create a negative atmosphere through various protests and demonstrations in Connaught Place and other parts of Delhi. To counter this and infuse energy and enthusiasm, we are organising this Diwali festival in collaboration with various market associations and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across the city. The Delhi government is partnering with all major markets in the capital to host these celebrations. Furthermore, a spectacular drone show will be held at Central Park, Connaught Place, on both days," he said.
The highlight of the celebrations will be a specially choreographed drone presentation depicting important episodes from the life of Lord Shri Ram. A grand Maha Aarti dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi will also form part of the festivities.
Central Park will be illuminated with traditional lamps and decorative lighting, while cultural performances will add to the festive atmosphere. A special 'Bhajan Clubbing' programme, combining devotional music with contemporary musical elements, is scheduled for November 7.
The government is also seeking to make the celebrations a platform for public participation by involving residents, young people, creative professionals and community organisations through three competitions — 'Create A Rangoli, Show It To Delhi', 'Shoot 'n Shine' and 'Reel It'.
Under the rangoli competition, participants are required to create festive designs collectively with residents of their societies and upload three to five photographs in a single Instagram post or a video of up to 45 seconds. Entries must mention the name of the RWA, locality and a brief description.
The awards in this category include a Golden Diya prize of Rs 71,000, two Silver Diya awards of Rs 41,000 each and three Bronze Diya awards of Rs 21,000 each. Another 25 participants will receive special awards of Rs 11,000 each.
The 'Shoot 'n Shine' competition will invite participants to capture the spirit of Diwali through an original photograph, accompanied by a brief account of the moment and its location. The Golden Lens winner will receive Rs 1.51 lakh, while two Silver Lens awards carry Rs 1.01 lakh each and three Bronze Lens awards carry Rs 51,000 each.
The third category, 'Reel It', will encourage participants to narrate an original Diwali story through a video lasting no more than 45 seconds. Participants must explain the concept and identify the location in the caption. The awards comprise Rs 1.01 lakh for the Golden Frame, Rs 51,000 each for two Silver Frame winners and Rs 21,000 each for three Bronze Frame winners.
Suggested themes include environmentally friendly celebrations and decorations, Delhi's heritage and initiatives highlighting community solidarity and social harmony.
The last date for submitting entries is midnight on November 6, 2026. Detailed guidelines and competition-related information have been made available on Delhi Tourism's official Instagram account.
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