It is seen as an example of the composite culture of Delhi, which has bolstered an environment of communal harmony in the city, and even today the festival is celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims alike.

[1] This secular festival involves a procession, led by shehnai players and dancers, and bearing large floral fans, pankhas, to Yogmaya Temple, the shrine of Devi Jog Maya, and winds through Mehrauli Bazar, to reach the dargah of 13th century Sufi saint, Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki.

Recent additions are the cultural troupes from various states of India, which perform songs, dances, and drama at the main function which is held at 'Jahaz Mahal' in Mehrauli, located in a corner of 'Hauz Shamsi' and is believed to have been built in Lodhi dynasty era, takes the festival beyond its vision of communal harmony to that of national integration [1][5][6] The origin of Phool Waalon Ki Sair goes to 1812, during the reign of the Mughal King Akbar Shah II (r. 1808 -1837).

After a few days, when Mirza Jahangir was merrymaking on the roof of Naubat Khana in Red Fort, Archibald Seton was coming from the Darbar after an audience with Resident.

[7][8] The mother of Mirza Jahangir Queen Mumtaz Mahal Begum, was distraught and took a vow that if her son was released from Allahabad she would offer a chadar of flowers at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiar ‘Kaki’ at Mehrauli.

For 7 days all sorts of merrymaking continued at Mehrauli with Jhoolas (swings) in the mango groves, cock fighting and bull baiting, kites flying, wrestling, and swimming bouts.

[9][10][11] The people of Delhi carry flowers from the Chandni Chowk to Mehrauli- to the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Qutubuddin Kaki and the Devi Jogmaya Mandir.

As it passed through the streets of Mehrauli, where the Mughal courts used to shift after the rainy season, Mughal Emperor, Akbar Shah II, used to enjoy the procession from the balcony of Zafar Mahal in Mehrauli and watched it move towards the shrine of Sufi Saint Qutbuddin Kaki and later to Yogmaya Temple[13] The Festival continued to be celebrated even after 1857 revolt by the British Deputy commissioner who was the highest government functionary in Delhi with the help of some prominent citizens.